Mogadishu — The Islamic Courts defense chief, Sheik Yusuf Mohammed Indhoadde, has threatened they would continue the war until all Ethiopian troops fade away from Somalia.

He told Shabelle by the phone that the fighting was going on between the Ethiopian forces and the Islamic Courts fighters, indicating that he does not recognize the internationally backed government in Somalia. "I would be pleased to die in the Jihad (a holy war) while I was killing the Christian Ethiopian troops that forcefully occupied our country," he said. "We will not halt the war until our forces reach the border between Somalia and Ethiopia," he added.

The fighting is heavily continuing in Idaale where the government forces are positioned. Idaale is 70 km southwest of Baidoa, the main seat for the transitional government.

Both warring parties in Somalia claimed victories as damages and casualties cannot be confirmed independently yet.

Islamic Courts seized the capital in early June this year and expanded their hold into most central and southern regions of the country, after forcefully evicting US backed warlords.

Indhoadde alleged his forces were in Daynunay military training camp, 30 km south of Baidoa. In a government communiqué, Salad Ali Jelle, the assistant defense minister, said they killed 100 Islamist fighters.

Somalia has had no affective central government since 1991 when warlords toppled President Siad Barre.