Puppet "government" websites have been boasting about the number of Islamic forces "killed" in battle ranging from 100 to 600 but without any evidence. As major battles rage in the Baidoa area, the most intense battle is taking place between Dinsoor and Baidoa, with islamic forces (west) pushing to the Manaas military camp were there is heavy presence of ethiopian troops, tank and helicopters, the Daynunaay military camp has already been overrun by the Islamic army (south) and little fighting have been reported on Friday.
Islamic Courts spokesman confirmed that about 20 have been came Shaheeds (inshAllah) but denied that 100s or 600 have been killed and vowed that the Islamic Courts will celebrate Eid on the ethiopian-somali border coming this week.
Sheik Ibrahim Shukri Abuu-Zeynab, a spokesman for the Islamic forces (west), told reporters in the capital, Mogadishu, the fighting would worsen.
"We will now start our real attack against the invaders and would not stop until we force the Ethiopians out of our country."
Puppet "government" forces backed by Ethiopian troops have used artillery against Islamic Court fighters advancing on Baidoa, the so call "transitional government's" only stronghold.
Meanwhile thousands of Somali civilians fled their homes as hundreds of troops and trucks moved towards the front lines on Friday, after a night of artillery and mortar fire.
Al Jazeera's correspondent in Somalia, reported: "The fighting is intensifying by the minute and both sides are strengthening their front lines. ... The Islamic Courts say they have pressed only 10 per cent of their force into action and would deploy many more men."
He quoted witnesses as saying that tanks and troops in Ethiopia are moving towards the area and that local people around Baidoa are fleeing.
Adow also said relief agencies have cautioned there could be a very big crisis in view of the imminent fighting.
KC
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