Somalia's Islamic courts yesterday claimed that Ethiopian troops had entered Somalia, heightening tension in the southern region of the Horn of Africa country that is under new Islamic rulers.
The courts, now controlling swathes of southern Somalia, said the deployment was aimed at countering their fighters who have defeated US-backed warlords in four months of fighting that has claimed at least 360 people and wounded more than 2,000 others.
"Ethiopia has amassed troops at its border with Somalia and we are getting information that they have entered into Somalia," Sheikh Shariff Sheikh Ahmed, the leader of the Joint Islamic Courts said.
Ahmed was referring to clashes reported by residents early yesterday in the border area, with no reports of casualties.
"There is no reason at this stage that would warrant Ethiopia to bring more troops to the border. I am urging Ethiopia to refrain from these acts that would spoil relations with Somalia. What is going on in Somalia has nothing to do with Ethiopia," he added.
There was no independent confirmation of the deployment, but Addis Ababa officials rejected the claims and said Ethiopia's troops were on their side of the border.
"Ethiopian troops are deployed along the border to avoid any incidents," said Sahle-Work Zewde, the chief of African affairs in the foreign ministry.
"No Ethiopian troops have crossed the border into Somalia. Ethiopia recognizes the federal transitional government of Somalia and no one else," said Berekat Simon, a public relations specialist in Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's office.
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