Forces involved are difficult to calculate because of many factors, including lack of formal organization or record-keeping, and claims which remained masked by disinformation. Ethiopia for months leading up to the war maintained it had only a few hundred advisors in the country. Yet independent reports indicated far more troops. According to the BBC, "The United Nations estimated that at least 8,000 Ethiopian troops may be in the country while the AP suggests the number closer to 12-15,000,[1] while regional rival Eritrea has deployed some 2,000 troops in support of the Islamic group."[2] Ethiopia only admitted to 3,000–4,000 being involved,[3] though the ICU claimed the Ethiopians had 30,000 troops,[4] while Eritrea denies having any troops in Somalia.[5] In addition, the TFG alleged there were up to 8,000 foreign mujahideen fighting on behalf of the ICU, based on the ICU's worldwide appeal for Muslim mujahideen to come fight for their cause.[6] Somali government troops and allied militias are estimated to be roughly 10,000.[7]
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