The Ethiopian regime continues to launch repetitive attacks in spite of the heavy losses that it has suffered. Over 250 Ethiopian soldiers were killed while eighteen were captured in the clashes along the Mereb-Setit front yesterday, Sunday, February 7. The Ethiopian regime had used helicopter gunships in the attack in the hope of reversing the disastrous defeats that it had sustained on Saturday in which two brigades were completely routed and another two brigades severely battered. The Addis Abeba regime has again violated the moratorium on air strikes brokered by the United States on June 14, 1998, through the use of helicopter gunships and fighter planes.

This morning, the Ethiopian regime has yet again launched a fresh attack on the Mereb-Setit front employing helicopter gunships and fighter aircraft while simultaneously opening a new attack on the Alitena-Mereb front in southern Eritrea.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Asmara, 8 February 1999