Islamists Protest Ethiopian Invasion

Mogadishu, Somalia

The Islamists who control southern Somalia have appealed to the international community to make Ethiopia pull back its troops. Ethiopia last week sent several thousand soldiers into Somalia to support the transitional Somali government—which was formed in exile and never actually held power—against the Council of Islamic Courts, a Taliban-like movement that recently defeated U.S.-backed warlords to take over the anarchic south. The Islamists said Ethiopian interference was blocking any chance of a power-sharing agreement. “Until Ethiopian troops leave Somali soil,” said Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, “we will never negotiate with the government.” Aweys is on the U.S. list of most-wanted terrorists.