Ethnic clashes spur Ethiopia refugee surge

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 28 (UPI) -- Refugees have been steadily streaming into Kenya to escape a surge of ethnic violence in neighboring Ethiopia, the Red Cross said.

More than 20,000 refugees have holed up at camps in Kenya as fighting in southern Ethiopia between the Garria and Borana communities continued.

The BBC said Saturday the casualty totals had grown to at least 18 dead and a dozen injured.

The clashes apparently grew out of a long-running land dispute and brought out well-armed militias from both sides, the BBC said.