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Africa Horn
Ethiopian Troops Begin to Leave Somalia
2007-01-24
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) - Ethiopian troops whose military strength was crucial to helping Somalia's government drive out a radical Islamic militia began withdrawing Tuesday, raising fears of a power vacuum unless peacekeepers arrive soon in this chaotic nation. Ethiopia's government spokesman, Zemedkun Tekle, confirmed Tuesday's pullout but gave no details.
Islamic Courts to regroup and return in 5 .. 4 .. 3 ..
Somali government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari said Ethiopia helped chase out the Council of Islamic Courts militia, which had taken over the capital and much of southern Somalia. But it was time for the neighboring forces to leave. "As of today, the Ethiopian troops have started to withdraw from Somalia. We are grateful that they played an important role in the restoration of law and order in the country," Dinari said.

Nearly 200 people gathered at the former National University in Mogadishu, cheering as the Ethiopians moved out on trucks and tanks. "Leave us alone and let us solve our problems," the crowd chanted.
Sure, have at it.
Many Somalis were angered by the presence of Ethiopian forces. Somalia, a Muslim country, and Ethiopia, which has a large Christian population and an almost as large Muslim population, fought a brutal war in 1977. "I am very happy the Ethiopians are leaving because it will end clashes in which civilians are the victims," said Ilmi Shardi Mahad, a resident of Mogadishu's Hurwa district, considered a hotbed of support for the Islamists.

The Islamic council has played on the traditional Somali-Ethiopian rivalry, saying the group would launch an Iraq-style guerrilla war on Ethiopian troops here. "The withdrawal of Ethiopia will be the end of our ongoing insurgency," said Sheik Ahmed Muumin, a member of the Islamic council who contacted The Associated Press by telephone on Tuesday.

But it was not clear whether his views represented those of the Islamic leadership, which is largely fleeing in hiding in Yemen.
Posted by:Steve White

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