Hospitals in Dinsor were said to be flooded with dozens of Islamist fighters. Daynunay is the government's forward military base about 20 km southeast of Baidoa.

    The other front, Idaale, is 70 km southwest of Baidoa, a southern agricultural trading post which is the only town the government controls.

    But in a statement, the ICRC urged the parties in the conflict to take all necessary measures to ensure that the wounded and captured fighters are protected and receive treatment, and that medical staff, hospitals and clinics are spared from attacks. Fighting began five days ago between forces of the Supreme Council of Islamic Courts (SCIC) and those of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG).

    The SCIC accuses Ethiopia of sending troops into Somalia to support the weak but internationally recognized transitional government. Ethiopia denies the accusation, but admits it has military trainers in Baidoa.

    Instead, it says Eritrea ferries weapons to the SCIC, a claim denied by Eritrea .

    The head of the Information Department of the Islamic Courts Union, Sheik Mudey, said late Friday that unless the Baidoa-allied Ethiopian troops quit Somalia, Islamists would not accept any cease-fire. He said the Islamist militias killed over 200 Ethiopian soldiers, whose bodies would be on display for reporters. The ICRC call came after three international aid agencies operating in south-central Somalia appealed to the warring sides to cease hostilities, allow for unrestricted humanitarian access, and resume peace talks.

    CARE, Save the Children-UK and World Vision International on Friday urged the TFG and SCIC to ensure humanitarian access to those who are suffering from the effects of fighting, recent flooding and months of prolonged drought.

    The three agencies are among the largest of their kind working in South and Central Somalia and, between them, they provide relief and development support to an estimated 1.5 million people. "Close to one million people have been seriously affected by a series of multiple natural disasters," Paul Daniels, assistant country director for CARE-Somalia, said.

    They warned that the war would compound the effects of recent flooding after months of drought, and "is likely to displace over one million vulnerable people and create a new surge of refugees in neighboring countries", as well as destabilize the entire Horn of Africa region.

    Graham Davison, the World Vision-Somalia's operations director, said, "We request safe and secure access to enable us to carry out our humanitarian work."

    In a separate statement, the United Nations appealed to both sides of the conflict to exercise restraint. The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Eric Laroche, said that he was extremely disturbed the by the deteriorating situation in the country.

    "Engaging in conflict at a time when a significant segment of the population is already struggling for survival is unacceptable," Laroche said.