The Xogogal newspaper said thousands of Ethiopian soldiers have been going into the Somali towns of Hudur and Wajid in Bakol region over the whole weekend.

"The Ethiopian troops first arrived in Qansah Dhere and have been repairing military trucks used by the Rahanwein Resistance Army (RRA), which is allied to Ethiopia", the newspaper said.

Ethiopian troops, with the help of RRA combatants, are planning to attack the compounds of the Islamic Sharia court in Qoryoley and Farsoley of Lower Shabelle region, the newspaper added.

Ethiopian troops were planning to attack the southern Somali port of Kismayo, which since mid-June has been controlled by armed factions opposed to Ethiopian involvement in the Somalia's internal affairs, according to the press.

The Qaran daily reported that Ethiopian troops had deployed on the outskirts of Baidoa, 250 kilometers (155 miles) northwest of Mogadishu.

RRA officials denied that Ethiopian troops were present around Baidoa. Ethiopian embassy officials in Nairobi were not immediately available for comment.

Ethiopian troops have made several incursions into southern Somalia during the past four years in pursuit of the Islamic group Al-Itihad Al-Islam and groups from their own nation that have fled that are based in Somalia.

Late last month, Somalian Islamic courts took over port facilities, police headquarters and the prison in the port town of Merca last week and have been bidding to extend their Islamic law to other towns and villages in southern Somalia.

Indian Troops Shoot Dead 10 Pakistani Soldiers in Kashmir
Clinton Steps up Calls for Russia to Negotiate in Chechnya
Georgian Church Caught Between Believers and State by Pope Visit
Gore Solicits Arab Vote Ahead of 2000 US Presidential Election
600 Political Prisoners Released in Tunisia
Israel Government Deciding on Torture Bill
Saudi Women to Get ID Cards