Asmara, 20 June 2016- Eritreans residing inside the country and abroad conducted candle vigil in connection with Martyrs Day.

Addressing the gathering at Bahti Meskerem Square on 19 June in which Government and PFDJ officials as well as thousands of the Asmara residents took part, the Governor of the Central region, Maj. Gen. Ramadan Osman Aweliai underlined that the Eritrean independence was realized with the heavy sacrifice paid by the Eritrean people. He also called for preserving unity and strengthening participation in the national development programs and safeguarding the sovereignty of the country.

The participants on their part said that they feel proud to remember their martyrs in such a colorful manner and expressed conviction to live up to expectation in supporting martyrs families.

A number of artistic works were staged on the occasion highlighting the significance of Martyrs Day.

* The number of Eritrean Martyrs, who were fallen on the 12th-13th of June 2016 during the TPLF Regime attempt invasion of Eritrea, are 18.