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U.N. paper cites troop buildup in Somalia

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published October 28, 2006

NAIROBI, Kenya - Thousands of Ethiopian and Eritrean troops are in Somalia, backing opposing sides in the struggle for control of the country, according to a confidential U.N. briefing paper. The involvement of the two Horn of Africa rivals could set the stage for a regional war.

Islamic radicals, said by the United Nations to be backed by Eritrea, held rallies in several Somali cities calling for a holy war on Ethiopia and the internationally backed government it supports.

The U.N. report, dated Oct. 26 and obtained by the Associated Press on Friday, cites diplomatic sources in estimating that "between 6,000-8,000 Ethiopians and 2,000 fully equipped Eritrean troops are now inside Somalia supporting" the internationally recognized government and the Islamic group known as the Council of Islamic Courts, respectively.

The transitional government and the Council of Islamic Courts have been girding for battle in recent weeks. Government forces, supported by Ethiopian military advisers, have been seen digging trenches near Baidoa, the only town the government controls.

The Islamic courts have deployed forces at a town between Baidoa and their headquarters in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, 150 miles to the southeast.

The military moves could be mere posturing ahead of peace talks scheduled for next week in Khartoum, Sudan, but most observers are pessimistic about the chances for an agreement and fear major fighting could follow if talks fail.

Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a two-year border war that remains unresolved.

[Last modified October 28, 2006, 00:24:45]