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ERINA News Update
ERINA Update
(Eritrean News Agency,
Tel: ++291-1-117627, Fax: 127385)
Tuesday, June 7, 2000
Ethiopian Troops Vandalize More Farms and Machinery
Ethiopian troops, before being routed from the vicinity of Tessenei, vandalized the cotton farming project in neighboring Ali Gidir.
New farming machinery at the site was deliberately blown apart by the Ethiopian troops who had, despite claims by Addis of a withdrawal from the west, continued to occupy areas in the west of Eritrea until their troops were routed by Eritrean forces in fierce fighting two days ago.
Journalists who visited the liberated town of Tessenei saw evidence of an Ethiopian defeat in the area and verified the extent of destruction caused to the Ali Gidir project and the effects of widespread looting and vandalism by Ethiopian troops before their defeat.
The destruction to infrastructure and development projects in western Eritrea as well as the targeting of civilian sites throughout Eritrea has been described by a senior Eritrean government official as "cowardly and unacceptable." The official said, "It is tragic irony for a nation like Ethiopia which suffers so much from problems of food security and which is currently calling on the international community to feed its millions to then turn around and attempt, will cold purpose, to target the food security of Eritrea which, in contrast, has worked so hard to feed its own people."
Details of Ethiopian Defeat in Tessenei Reported
The Eritrean Ministry of Defense has issued details following the fierce fighting in the Tessenei area that saw Ethiopian occupying forces thrashed. According to the ministry,
- 5,700 Ethiopian troops were killed or wounded,
- ten military transport vehicles were captured,
- two tanks/armored vehicles were destroyed,
- one entire Ethiopian division was routed and removed, and
- 400 Ethiopian soldiers were forced to flee to neighboring Sudan.
Journalists who visited the area yesterday verified the extent of the damage. The ministry said that most of western Eritrea had now been liberated and that Ethiopian forces had, with the liberation of Tessenei and Barentu, been forced to abandon several Eritrean towns in the south including Haikota, Guluj, Tokombia and Om Hajer.
ERINA Update
(Eritrean News Agency,
Tel: ++291-1-117627, Fax: 127385)
Tuesday, June 6, 2000
Ethiopian Air Rids and Shelling Kill 68, Wound 106 Civilians
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today confirmed that a total of 68 civilians
in Eritrea have been killed while 106 have received injuries and wounds as a
result of Ethiopian air raids and shelling since May 17, 2000. In a
communique it issued to humanitarian organizations yesterday, the ministry
stated, "the figures do not account for civilian casualties resulting from
Ethiopian bombardment before the most recent Ethiopian offensive." The
communique noted that the recent civilian casualties included Ethiopian
attacks on civilian populations in the subzones of Adi Quala, Adi Keyih, and
around Tsorona. Deaths and injuries to civilians were also reported in
recent air attacks on Irafaley, Hirgigo power plant, and the Asmara
International Airport. It said that "Ethiopia's attacks are directed
specifically at civilian centers around the country and have also resulted
in the widespread destruction of private property, livestock and other means
of livelihood. The wide scale destruction of non-military government
institutions by retreating Ethiopian troops and razing of private homes and
establishments reflects a wanton destruction and state sponsored vandalism
by the regime in Ethiopia for which it will have to answer."
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