November29, 2006: The United States is trying to convince the African Union to send a peacekeeping force to help the Transitional Government in Somalia. But the Islamic Courts have declared, quite loudly, that such a move would mean war between the Islamic Courts and the African Union. Many Arab nations, openly or quietly, back the Islamic Courts, despite an al Qaeda connection and open support for other Islamic terrorist groups. This has the African Union intimidated, and reluctant to send its troops into harms way.

November 28, 2006: There was gunfire and artillery fire near the town of Bandiradley, about 630 kilometers north of Mogadishu. The fighting was apparently between Ethiopian and Islamic Courts forces.

November 27, 2006: The Islamic Courts have ordered everyone, except authorized Islamic Courts troops, to hand in their weapons. Practically every business and family has a rifle or pistol, and these are a threat to the Islamic Courts if enough people become hostile to Islamic rule.

November 26, 2006: Ethiopia said it was ready to launch a major military operation in Somalia, against the Islamic Courts forces. This will happen if Ethiopia detects Islamic Courts engaging in, or encouraging, violence inside Ethiopia. In response, the Islamic Courts loaded several thousand gunmen into trucks and cars, and sent them to positions near the Ethiopian border.

November 25, 2006: In the north, Puntland has tried to avoid an Islamic Courts attack by accepting the use of Sharia (Islamic) law. This pleases the powerful Islamic clerics in Puntland.

November 24, 2006: The Islamic Courts are openly saying they will guarantee the safety of foreign aid workers. The recent rains have caused flooding that has killed dozens, and caused over 300,000 Somalis to flee for high ground. The foreign aid groups are the only ones who can bring relief, and some of these groups are considering leaving because of harassment by Islamic Courts gunmen. The UN says flood aid will cease if fighting starts between the Islamic Courts and the Transitional Government. Meanwhile, several hundred additional Ethiopian troops were seen entering the Transitional Government capital in Baidoa.

November 23, 2006: Several hundred Ethiopian troops appear to be guarding a road between the Transitional Government stronghold in Baidoa, and the Ethiopian border.