Hiiraan Online (in Somali)

These past two days Ethiopian government troops have been conducting a search operation in the hills surrounding the village of Baar-Dheere, one of the satellite villages of Beledweyne city, after receiving information that fighters of the Hiiraan Regional Islamic Court are regrouping there. Travelers using the Mogadishu–Hiiraan Region road told Hiiraan Online that Ethiopian troops walking on foot searched vehicles and passengers. The report added that they asked travelers if they had seen gunmen along the road.

Residents of Baar-Dheere village said that fighters they thought belonged to the Islamic Court had stayed in the village for several hours before hitting the road that goes to Buuloburde District, Hiiraan Region, where some officials of the Islamic Courts are widely reported to be based.

Sounds of heavy guns fired by Ethiopian troops were heard yesterday in localities near Baar-Dheere village, a move military experts said was intended to attract response from [insurgent] fighters said to be in the area. However, Ethiopian officers said that the troops were test firing weapons.

Beledweyne city residents, already widely talking about the spate of explosions and insecurity in some parts of the city, are very worried and fearful about the renewed military activities between Ethiopian troops and members of the Islamic Courts.