MOGADISHU, Somalia December 23, 2006 – Forces of the islamic movement of Somalia (UIC) said today they have captured a frontline position from Ethiopian-backed government forces, as a fourth day of bloody battles raged in the lawless nation's southern region.

Islamic movement information chief Abdurahim Ali Muddey said their fighters have seized the Idale outpost, some 60 kilometres south of Baidoa, the seat of the interim government which is being backed by Ethiopia(Woyané) troops.

"Our Islamic fighters have taken control of Idale town and are heading to other parts where Tigray-Woyané (Ethiopia) invaders are now based, by the will of Allah, we will liberate our people and country from the Ethiopia invaders,'' he said

There was no independent confirmation of the claim.

Ethiopia is supporting Somalia's weakened government against the Islamist forces, which control the capital Mogadishu and much of the rest of the war-ravaged Horn of Africa nation.

Fighting erupted early on Wednesday, hours after the expiry of an Islamist-imposed ultimatum to Ethiopia to withdraw the thousands of troops the Islamists say Addis Ababa has deployed in the country.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said the fighting had left "dozens'' dead.

But the Government has said its Ethiopian-backed forces have killed more than 500 Islamist fighters since Wednesday, while the Islamists spoke of slaying at least 70 enemy combatants.

Mr Muddey said the Islamist forces were pushing back the Ethiopian-backed troops.

"This war is between Somalia and Tigray (Ethiopian) invaders. The forces have been pressed and they are losing in the battlefields,'' he added.

"The invaders have been repelled, we have a lot of their bodies here and are going to show the media, we have their ID cards, pictures with their wives and other equipment."

The fighting on twin fronts has forced thousands of residents to flee.

"People are really scared and are escaping this war because both sides are using heavy artillery shells and other weapons and no-one can endure and stay near villages,'' Haji Hassan Dhubow, a resident of Goof Gaduud village southwest of Baidoa, said.

"I have seen many people fleeing with their children."

Source: NEWS.com.au