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International

Somalia Gov't Gains Ground with Ethiopia's Help

Civil war in Somalia heated up today as forces loyal to it's transitional government moved ever closer to the capital city of Mogadishu.

With the help of Ethiopian air power and ground troops, Somalia's transitional government forces have swept eastward from their headquarters in Baidoa. In a matter of days , they managed to push the Islamic Courts Union from many of the towns they controlled.

Government forces are now said to be within 60 miles of Mogadishu, the headquarters of the Islamic Courts Union and perhaps their last redoubt.

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Ethiopia says that its role in Somalia is purely a matter of self-defense against "radical extremists" who have taken over Somalia.

Melissa Block spoke with East Africa Correspondent Gwen Thompkins in Addis Ababa.

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