Ethiopia launched an attack on Sunday on Somalia's powerful Islamic movement. In a sharp escalation of the violence that threatens to engulf the volatile Horn of Africa, Ethiopian fighter jets bombarded several towns across its border. "After too much patience, the Ethiopian government has taken a self-defensive measure and has begun counterattacking the aggressive extremist forces of the (Islamic council) and foreign terrorist groups," said Ethiopia's foreign affairs spokesman, Solomon Abebe.It was the first time Ethiopia had acknowledged that its troops were fighting in Somalia, although witnesses had reported their presence for weeks. The Council of Islamic Courts has vowed to drive out troops from neighbouring Ethiopia, a largely Christian nation that is providing military support to Somalia's UN-backed government.
The Islamic courts have been steadily gaining power since June, raising concerns about an emerging Taliban-style regime. The United States accuses the group of having ties to al-Qaida, which it denies. Several days of fighting broke out Tuesday night, but had tapered off before Sunday's air strikes by Ethiopia. Somalia's government spokesman, Abdirahman Dinari, said on Sunday that troops loyal to the government have "inflicted massive casualties," although the claim could not be independently confirmed.