Ethiopian warplanes attack Somalia airport

Mogadishu: Somalia's encircled interim government closed all land, air and sea borders on Monday, while its Ethiopian allies launched an attack against the Islamists, bombarding the main airport in Mogadishu.

“The government has decided to close our borders, air space and sea space,'' government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari said. “We are requesting the international community, especially neighbouring states, to help us effect this.''

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said on Sunday he was waging war against the Islamists, who have encircled the government in its south-central provincial base Baidoa, to protect his nation's sovereignty.

Abdirahim Adan, managing director of Mogadishu international airport, said one person had been injured in the attack.

“We were arranging bags when we heard a big explosion inside the airport. We all ran for our lives. I understand one woman cleaner was injured. We don't know exactly where at the airport the missile hit,'' said a baggage handler at the airport.

A resident who lives nearby said the airport had been hit twice.