- Heavy fighting erupted between militia loyal to the Islamic Courts Union and forces of Somalia's internationally-backed transitional government of President Abdullahi Yusuf, who were supported by Ethiopian troops. Islamist troops now stand less than 50 kilometres from the transitional government's headquarters in Baidoa.
The latest fighting came when European Union (EU) had taken relentless efforts to push both sides of the Somali conflict to resume peace talks in the Sudanese capital Khartoum.
Already, EU Commissioner for Development Louis Michel is in Baidoa, where he met senior government officials trying to woo them to choose negotiation with officials of the Islamic Courts Union as a means to end war in Somali.
The fight, which started in the morning today, took place in Modamode, 45 kilometres from Baidoa city, which is the seat of the transitional government, with either side claiming to gain the upper hand.
Forces from both sides were reported to have exchanged heavy artillery firing in the area, with either side claiming to gain upper hand in the war. Both sides are heavily armed despite a UN arms embargo. There were reported casualties on both sides.
Islamists said they have pushed back government fighters and gained control of Daynunay village, 30 kilometres from Baidoa. They blamed their opponents of breaking the tie for war.
It was confirmed that at least 40 soldiers of the Ethiopian-backed government troops were injured in today's clashes. They were sent to Baidoa hospital for treatment. However, officials of the transitional government said they have killed ten militiamen of the Islamists.
In another development, Islamists announced that they had taken over Idale village before advancing to Baidoa. However, officials of the transitional government denied losing their key positions.
Shortly before presstime, EU Commissioner Michel held press briefings to announce that the two parties were committed to hold peace talks in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital. "They have both decided to resume the Khartoum dialogue process unconditionally," Mr Michel said, without giving date of the peace talks.
"They have to decide together. I can't give you a date, but it will not be a long time." The transitional government however lately has voiced strong criticism against the Sudanese government, claiming Khartoum is one of the major sources of arms for the Somali Islamists and saying Sudanese officials had been biased towards the Islamists in earlier peace negotiations in Khartoum.
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