Somali Islamists declare 'jihad' against Ethiopia
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Somalia's powerful Islamists have declared holy war against Horn of Africa rival Ethiopia, which they accused of invading Somalia to prop up the shaky interim government.
"Starting from today, we have declared jihad against Ethiopia," Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed told a news conference, while wearing combat fatigues and clutching an AK-47 assault rifle.
Sheikh Ahmed, usually viewed as a more moderate voice among the Islamists who took Mogadishu in June and now control much of Somalia's south, appeared angry as he addressed reporters.
"Heavily armed Ethiopian troops have invaded Somalia. They have captured Buur Hakaba. History shows that Somalis always win when they are attacked from outside," he said.
The Islamists and residents of Buur Hakaba, about 30 kilometres from the interim government's base in Baidoa, said Ethiopian troops accompanied government fighters who took the town over early on Monday.
"Somalis in and outside the country are obliged to defend their country and their religion. You should be ready for an order and execute it as you will be told," Sheikh Ahmed said.
-Reuters
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