Press Release
Two Ethiopian T-55 Tanks Destroyed

Two Ethiopian tanks have been destroyed on the Mereb-Setit front as Ethiopian mechanized units began a ground assault at around 7:00 a.m. this morning.

Ethiopia began heavy shelling at 4:30 a.m. as a prelude to the ground attack. Antonov bombers were also briefly employed in an effort to soften Eritrean positions.

At around 7:00 a.m., Ethiopian mechanized units began waves of ground assaults but were repulsed with heavy losses. Two Ethiopian T-55 tanks were destroyed in the process.

Ethiopia subsequently summoned air support (around 8:30 a.m.) but the MiG-23 fighter planes turned back after resistance from Eritrean forces.

In the meantime, in a statement issued yesterday, the US Government has expressed "deep regret on the use of air power by Ethiopia in the current conflict" and "urged it to resume the moratorium immediately." The moratorium on air strikes was brokered by President Clinton on June 14, 1998. Ethiopia violated the moratorium on February 7 and has used its aircraft against civilian targets bombing the villages of Deda Lalai, Adi Qwala, Mai Aini, a cluster of villages in the Zalambesa area, and sparsely populated areas in the Assab region. Twenty two civilians were killed while many others were wounded in those attacks. The US State Department statement of yesterday requests Eritrea "to continue to uphold its commitment to the terms of the moratorium."

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Asmara, 23 February 1999