October 14, 2006
Posted to the web October 15, 2006
Reacting to a declaration of Jihad on Ethiopia by Somalia's Union of Islamic Courts, officials here are warning the group to carefully weighs its decisions to attack.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Tuesday warned that Ethiopia was ready to defend itself in whatever way necessary if the courts gave it reason to feel it was threatened.
If we are threatened by the Jihadists, we will take whatever measures are necessary to protect ourselves, he said.
The UIC claims that Ethiopian troops had helped Transitional Federal Government's (TFG) militia to secure the town of Buur Haka.
Ethiopia has categorically denied the allegation.
As far as I know, the town of Buur Haka is still under their control, Meles said.
The town is located some 30 kms from the Ethiopian border, and 65 km south of Baidoa the temporary seat of the fledgling TFG.
Clad in combat uniform and totting an AK-47, the UIC's Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed declared a holy war (Jihad) on Ethiopia on Tuesday.
On Thursday, the courts' official denied that his group was planning any attacks on Ethiopia.
Speaking with the VOA, Ibrahim Addou, who is responsible for the courts' foreign affairs, said that they were only prepared to defend their territory and not planning any attacks.
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