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Somalia's transitional government says its troops are on high alert after Islamic militiamen deployed near the government's base of Baidoa, Wednesday.

Government ministers announced the alert soon after the militiamen, loyal to Somalia's Islamic courts, arrived in the town of Bur Haqaba. The town is reportedly just 60 kilometers away from Baidoa.

Analysts say the move could mark the start of open conflict between the government and Somalia's increasingly powerful Islamic movement.

Islamic fighters have seized control over much of southern Somalia in recent weeks after defeating secular warlords in a battle for the capital, Mogadishu. The transitional government has United Nations backing but little power outside Baidoa.

Earlier this week, Somalia's Islamic Courts Council said it was setting up a court in two regions ostensibly under government control.

The Islamists have moved to implement a strict version of Islamic (sharia) law in areas under their command. On Tuesday, militiamen arrested at least nine people in Mogadishu who were watching videos.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.