Troops build up in south Somalia (BBC)

[Eugene]

Last Updated: Sunday, 22 October 2006, 07:34 GMT 08:34 UK

Troops build up in south Somalia

Tension is rising in the Somali town of Burhakaba after government troops
moved in on Saturday to wrest control from Islamist militias.

Reports from the town say government troops and fighters from the Islamic
Courts Union, which controls most of Somalia, are massing in the area.

Many residents are fleeing for fear of further fighting.

Burhakaba, is close to the transitional government's stronghold of Baidoa
and on the main road to Mogadishu.

Residents in Burhakaba have said that Ethiopian soldiers were involved
in Saturday's attack by forces loyal to the government - a claim made
by the Islamists on Saturday.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6074368.stm

Also:
Somali government troops take key town - Reuters
Somali Islamists 'near Ethiopia' - BBC