Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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Ethiopian Tanks Reported Moving to Somalia Fighting Zone
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1575169:A6F02AD83191E160D3EB35CFCACEA7239574F7DCC14957C0 Red Cross says
dozens of people killed, at least 200 wounded during four days of
fighting in southern Somalia Witnesses in Somalia say Ethiopia is
moving tanks and other reinforcements into the area where Somalia's
Islamists have been battling pro-government troops.

The International Committee of the Red Cross says dozens of people
have been killed and at least 200 wounded during four days of fighting
in southern Somalia.

The Islamists and the Ethiopian-backed government each claim to have
killed hundreds of the other side's troops

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the U.N. Security Council
denounced the fighting in statements Friday. They urged Somalia's
interim government and Islamists to resume peace talks.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stressed the importance of
bringing East African peacekeepers into Somalia during a meeting with
Uganda's foreign minister, Sam Kutesa, Friday. Uganda is the only
country so far to agree to take part in the force.

The United Nations has passed a resolution supporting the proposed
force. However, Somalia's Islamists have denounced the measure and
vowed to fight any foreign troops.

Islamist forces have seized much of southern and central Somalia since
taking control of the capital, Mogadishu, in June.

This week's fighting has taken place near the interim government's
headquarters in Baidoa. Somalia's government has little power outside
the town.

Islamist leaders had threatened to attack Ethiopian troops this week
if they did not leave Somali territory. Ethiopia has an undetermined
number of soldiers in Somalia to assist the interim government.


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