18 killed in central Somalia clashes

18 killed in central Somalia clashes:
MOGADISHU (AFP) — The death toll from clashes between Ethiopian forces and Somali Islamist fighters rose to 18 after villagers found nine more bodies Friday, witnesses said.

Fighting erupted Thursday when Ethiopian troops came under insurgent attack in Beledweyne town, 350 kilometres (220 miles) north of the capital Mogadishu, prompting a return of fire that killed nine civilians.
Fighting erupted Thursday when Ethiopian troops came under insurgent attack in Beledweyne town, 350 kilometres (220 miles) north of the capital Mogadishu, prompting a return of fire that killed nine civilians.
"We sent a committee to asses the casualties and they confirmed at least 18 civilians, most of them nomads who brought livestock to the town, were killed in two days," said Osman Sheik Mohamed, a local elder.
He added that thousands of civilians had been displaced.
"Some of the dead were collected from outside the town where they were killed in the crossfire," said Hadi Abdi Yusuf, a local aid worker.
Residents said the clashes raged for a second day Friday with the rival sides firing artillery shells at each other.
Ethiopia sent troops into Somalia in late 2006 to help dislodge Islamists who had taken control of much of south and central Somalia and continues to back the country's weak transitional government.
The insurgents have vowed to fight on until Ethiopian forces pull out of the troubled Horn of Africa nation that has been wracked by lawlessness since the 1991 ouster of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
Source: AFP, July 25, 2008