Mogadishu Radio HornAfrik (in Somali) 

[Presenter] The ongoing fighting in Daynuunay locality, Bay Region, subsided this evening following fierce clashes between the forces of the Islamic courts and the Ethiopian troops.

The fighting, which became more fierce than yesterday, was largely felt today in several areas in Bay Region [south-central Somalia].

Tonight, high tension is reported in areas around Idaale [south west of Baidoa city] locality.

Our reporter Muktar Muhammad Atosh has the latest from the Daynuunay battlefield:

[Atosh] The clashes, which had earlier calmed down briefly, today resumed in Idaale and Daynuunay areas. The fighting involved Ethiopian troops backing the Somali Transitional Federal Government of Somalia [TFG] and forces loyal to the Islamic courts.

Today’s fighting, said to be the heaviest, involved face-to-face battle between Ethiopian troops and Islamic courts forces in the areas of Idaale and Daynuunay. The battle was relatively heavy in Idaale area, with both sides using various types of heavy weapons.

Similarly, another serious battle broke out in the Daynuunay locality whose impact was felt in Baidoa, seat of government, and Buur Hakaba, Islamic courts’ base in Bay Region.

The TFG, which is aided by Ethiopians, said it had vanquished the Islamic courts, adding that the courts had been pushed back from the previous positions. However, an official of the courts denied TFG’s claimed victory, terming the TFG as lacking self-confidence, hence bringing in Ethiopian troops.

The brunt of the fighting was largely borne by combatants on both sides, the Islamic courts and the Ethiopian–backed TFG troops. Both sides evacuated their wounded to their respective bases–Baidoa town for the wounded Ethiopians and Buur Hakaba and Diinsoor towns for the Islamists.

Eye witnesses in Baidoa confirmed to us that the town’s general hospital had been taken over by the Ethiopians for the purposes of treating the wounded. The eye witnesses also said that more Ethiopian reinforcement troops, who took part in today’s late evening fighting in Bay Region, could be observed today.

Also, Ethiopian helicopters, which reportedly arrived to collected wounded troops, today seen flying over the city.

The heavy casualty fighting has entered the third day with the Islamic courts forces appearing to be closing in on Baidoa town, the TFG headquarters.