MOGADISHU, Oct 9: Somali government soldiers, allegedly backed by Ethiopian forces, pulled out of a town near the government base in south central Somalia on Monday, after briefly seizing control from a pro-Islamist militia.

The pro-Islamic militia immediately re-entered Burahakaba town, about 60 kilometres southeast of Baidoa, and vowed never to let the Somali government dislodge them.

“The government delegation that paid a visit to Burahakaba went back. This was a normal tour with no other intentions,” Said Mohamed Hirsi, who commanded the government forces, said after returning to his base.

“I categorically deny that there were some Ethiopian troops in that mission. This region is part of the country run by the transitional government and our visits will be regular.

“The Islamic courts are full of allegations that are not true,” he added.

“It is the responsibility of each and everybody to defend his country from the naked aggression of Ethiopia,” Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the chairman of the executive committee of the SICS, told a press conference in Mogadishu.—AFP