Ethiopian troops have allegedly attacked a militia loyal to Somalia's Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), sparking fears that an all-out war may break out in the anarchic Horn of Africa country.
Witnesses said Ethiopian forces retaliated on pro-Islamist militia on Tuesday after the latter allegedly ambushed an Ethiopian convoy near the government's base in Baidoa on Sunday, killing up to 50 people.
At least four people were killed and a number of others were wounded in Tuesday's attack, witnesses said.
Around 15 Ethiopian armed vehicles with some 100 troops reportedly attacked the village of Idale, 60 kilometers south west of Baidoa, late Tuesday morning.
"The Ethiopian forces attacked Idale as revenge and killed more than 10 people," said Sheikh Mohamed Ibrahim Bilaladding, a UIC officer. "If the Ethiopians continue the attacks we will react, and Addis Ababa will take responsibility for the aftermath."
The government's assistant minister of defence Salad Ali Jelle denied the attack, echoing a statement he made on Monday about previous confrontations between the Islamist militias and Ethiopian troops.
If confirmed, this attack was part of a first spate of clashes between the two rivals. The Islamists have long charged that Addis Ababa sent troops to protect the weak government in Baidoa, which Ethiopia denied. Last month, however, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi admitted to sending troops to "train" the government forces.
Experts have warned the Somali crisis could potentially escalate into a regional war.
The Islamists have vowed to wage jihad or holy war on Ethiopian troops in Somalia, which has been without effective government since the 1991 ouster of a dictator plunged the country into anarchy.
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