Somalian Islamists Declare Holy War Against Ethiopia

(Mogadishu, Somalia) The Islamist Courts Union has organized mass demonstrations to be held after Friday prayers to show support for a holy war declared against Ethiopia.

According to Sheik Ahmed Abdulahi Hussien, known as Sheik Fanah, head of the public relations for the Islamic Courts Union, demonstrators will be asked to join in the holy war against the Ethiopians. It's claimed that thousands of jihadists have already signed up.

Meanwhile, the Islamists are expanding their control of the country. Sources say that the town of Sakow was taken on Wednesday by Islamist fighters without a shot being fired. Sakow had been a temporary base for Somali transitional government militias commanded by Col. Barre Hirale. It's also reported that Islamic Courts fighters are within kilometers of the town of Baardheere, a primary militia base under Col. Hirale.