07/09/08 (B464) Shabelle / Deux notables inlfuents accusent les forces éthiopiennes d’avoir commis des massacres dans le sud-ouest de la Somalie. Clan elders accuse Ethiopian troops of « massacres » in southwestern Somalia (En Anglais – Info lecteur)

Digil and Mirifle clan elders condemned Friday’s incident in which Ethiopian troops killed civilians in Berdale, southwestern Somalia.

The council of Digil and Mirifle traditional elders spoke on yesterday’s fighting in Bardale between the Ethiopian military and forces loyal to the Union of Islamic courts (UIC) during a meeting in their offices in Baidoa, Bay Region.

The elders condemned the Ethiopian troops for massacring civilians on the outskirts of Bardaale yesterday following fierce clashes with groups opposed to their presence in Somalia.

A spokesman for the Digil and Mirifle traditional elders, Hussein Yaqub, termed the killing of civilians by the Ethiopian troops as a massacre and said it was unacceptable.

The elders made the statement after they held a meeting in their offices during which they discussed yesterday’s fighting between Ethiopian troops and opposition groups.

The meeting is said to have lasted hours.

The clan elders also spoke on reconciliation efforts and said they welcome the ongoing peace process and hope it will provide a lasting solution to the conflict in Somalia.