Ethiopian troops enter Somalia – Islamic leader

June 17, 2006 (JOWHAR, Somalia) — The leader of Somalia’s Islamic Courts Union, which captured the Somali capital 11 days ago, said 300 Ethiopian troops crossed into the country Saturday.

He also accused the United States of supporting Ethiopian intervention in Somalia.

The Ethiopian troops entered through the border town of Dolow in the southwestern region of Gedo at 8 a.m. (0500GMT), Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, chairman of the Islamic Courts Union, told journalists.

“We want the whole world to know what’s going on. The United States is encouraging Ethiopia to take over the area. Ethiopia has crossed our borders and are heading for us. They are supporting the transitional federal government,” Ahmed said.

In recent days, Ethiopian troops have been crossing into Somali border towns and leaving, Ahmed said.

“They have deployed a lot of soldiers around the border towns, which is why we have been saying that Ethiopia is going to send in troops to Somalia,” the cleric said.

(ST/AP)