Militia vows 'major attack' unless troops leave Somalia

A top official of Somalia’s Islamic militia has vowed to launch a “major attack” unless troops from neighbouring Ethiopia leave his country within seven days.

The announcement comes amid mounting tensions between the militia and Somalia’s official government, which has struggled to assert control and has the support of neighbouring Ethiopia.

“If the Ethiopians don’t withdraw from Somalia within seven days, we will launch a major attack,” Sheikh Yusuf Indahaadde, national security chairman for the Islamic group, told a news conference in the capital, Mogadishu.

A confidential UN report obtained by AP in October said there are up to 8,000 Ethiopian troops in Somalia or along the border backing the government. Ethiopia has acknowledged sending military advisers, but denies sending a fighting force.