MOGADISHU, 19 June 2006 — Somalia’s interim government yesterday accused the Islamic militia, which has become a major threat to its limited authority, of lying about an Ethiopian troop incursion as a pretext to attack its headquarters.

The militia, which has rapidly seized a strategic swathe of Somalia and flanked the government’s temporary base in Baidoa, said Saturday 300 Ethiopian troops had crossed into the country.

That has raised the possibility of the Islamists — who say they only want peace —seizing new territory and establishing their rule as they grow in strength against a weak government with little territorial control. Addis Ababa vigorously denied the invasion charge by Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, head of the Islamic Courts Union that led the militia. Somalia’s government said yesterday that accusation was “absolutely baseless.” “It is a new strategy that the Shariah courts are using as an excuse to attack Baidoa. But they (Ethiopia) have mobilized their own border because of the changing situation in Somalia,” government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari said. “They have the right to mobilize their own troops if they fear trouble.”

Ethiopia, a strong supporter of interim President Abdullahi Yusuf, has said it was watching the border closely. It has not hesitated before to enter Somalia to fight Islamic forces. The Islamists stuck to their claim. Sheikh Sharif said he had “confirmed” that some 300 Ethiopian troops crossed into southwestern Somalia early on Saturday. “We ask them to go (back) to their country. If not, their presence will cause a big conflict between the invaders and Somali people,” Sheikh Sharif told a news conference in Jowhar, about 90 km north of Mogadishu.

Earlier this month, the Islamists routed from the capital Mogadishu and other key towns a group of warlords who have presided over much of the anarchy in Somalia since 1991. The fighting has killed 350 people in street battles since February. “I fear conflict if they do not stop their expansion and attacks,” Dinari said of the Islamists.

Despite the government’s international support and legal authority, the Islamists have popular support.