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 NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - Thousands of Ethiopian and Eritrean troops are in Somalia, backing opposing sides in the struggle for control of the strategic country, according to a confidential U.N. briefing paper. The involvement of the two Horn of Africa rivals could set the stage for a regional war.
Islamic radicals, said by the U.N. to be backed by Eritrea, held rallies in several Somali cities calling for a holy war on Ethiopia and the internationally backed government it supports.
The U.N. report dated Oct. 26 and obtained by The Associated Press on Friday, cites diplomatic sources in estimating that "between 6,000-8,000 Ethiopians and 2,000 fully equipped Eritrean troops are now inside Somalia supporting" the internationally recognized government and the Islamic group known as the Council of Islamic Courts, respectively.
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