28 Killed in Clashes between Somali Islamists and Ethiopian Troops

At least 28 people have been killed in two days of clashes as Islamists rebels fight to recapture a key city held by Ethiopian troops in Central Somalia. Intense fighting between the two sides for control of the city of Beletwein has displaced hundreds of families, which have fled the violence to seek refuge in safer areas. Abdirahim Isse Addow, a spokesman for the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) has meanwhile declared that the fighting will continue until his group regains control of the city from the Ethiopian forces, who captured it last week. [PE]