Somali/Ethiopian Forces

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25 Dec 06 On Wednesday (20 Dec 06), Somali forces
backed by Ethiopian forces attacked across three
fronts. On Sunday (24 Dec 06), Ethiopian Prime
Minister acknowledged that his country was
forced to enter a war against the Somali
Council of Islamic Courts. In the North, the
immediate objective appears to be Gaalkacyo in
the Mudug Region. Fighting between Somali/
Ethiopian forces and Islamists is still occuring.
In the Center, the immediate objective is
Beledweyne. Col. Abdi Yusuf Ahmed, a Somali
commander stated his forces entered Beledweyne
Monday (25 Dec 06) without firing a shot. In the
South, Somali/Ethopian forces are in control of
Baidba and fighting is taking place in
Buurhakaba. The Central and South battle will
almost certainly culminate in Mogadishu where
Ethiopian jets damaged the main airport. The
battles in Gaalkacyo and Beledweyne have sealed
the main Kala-Bayrka road between the Hiraan and
Mudug region which is key to the Islamists.
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Somali/Ethiopian Forces Somalia Islamist
Forces Ethiopian Airforce Attacks/Battles Islamic
Rallies
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26 Dec 06 On Tuesday (26 Dec), Islamists
retreated more than 30 miles to the southeast
from Daynuney, a town just south of Baidoa, the
government headquarters. The Islamic forces also
abandoned their main stronghold in Buurhakaba
(southern sector) and were forming convoys headed
toward the capital, Mogadishu. Somali government
and Ethiopian troops entered the town of
Buulebarde (center sector) and Galinsor, south of
Galcaio (northern sector) and appeared to be
pushing south from this position. "We have
withdrawn as part of our military strategy," said
Sheik Mohamoud Ibrahim Suley, an official with
the Islamic council in Mogadishu. Like other
Islamists, it appears they are retreating from
major fights, overwhelming firepower and will
begin a guerilla war and employ suicide
bombers. For its part, Somali government and
Ethiopian troops appear to be executing a
three-pronged attack which will culminate in
Mogadishu.
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Somali/Ethiopian Forces Somalia Islamist
Forces Ethiopian Airforce Attacks/Battles Islamic
Rallies