[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

Ethiopia Admits Its Fighter Jets Air Bombed Central Somalia

Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)
NEWS
December 24, 2006 </B>
Posted to the web December 24, 2006

By Aweys Osman Yusuf
Mogadishu
- The Ethiopian government has admitted its fighter jets pounded regions inside Somalia. Ethiopian Information Minister Berhan Hailu has admitted the Ethiopian warplanes struck different locations in central Somalia.
The minister said Ethiopia has run out of patience and taken self-defensive measures against the Islamic Courts that administers most central and southern provinces of the country, including the capital Mogadishu.
An eyewitness said he saw eight Ethiopian warplanes taking part in the air raiding. This is the first air bombing and the first open admission by the Ethiopian government of its involvement in Somalia's internal wars.
The fighting is going on four fronts in central and southern parts of Somalia and the exact number of casualties is hardly known.
Experts fear Ethiopia's insolvement in Somalia's war could influence foreign extremists and Ethiopia's rival enemy Eritrea in. Islamists announced on Saturday Somalia was open for Muslim jihadists around the world to come in and wage their holy war in Somalia.
US government accused Islamists of being al-Qaeda linked members. Islamists denied it has links to al-Qaeda or terrorist organizations.
Residents in Baledweyn said about 8 fighter jets have dropped bombs on Jawil and Kala Beer, settlements near the Ethiopian border.
Islamists allege they have seized number of Ethiopian troops in the fighting in southern parts of the country. The claim cannot be independently confirmed.