Ethiopia Launches a Large-Scale Offensive on the Alitena-Mereb Front

The Ethiopian regime has launched a large-scale offensive on the Tsorona flank of the Alitena-Mereb front today. The attack started at 8:00 a.m. this morning.

As a prelude to today's large-scale offensive, the TPLF regime had carried out aerial bombing and heavy artillery shelling in the environs of these areas (Hazemo Plains) yesterday afternoon from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Today's offensive has been in the offing for days now. Ethiopia's Prime Minister had informed the ambassadors accredited to his country on Monday, March 8, that his government will launch another offensive against Eritrea "before the weekend."

The Ethiopian regime has launched the attack today in defiance of UN Security Council calls of 4 March urging Ethiopia to stop its continued military action. The Ethiopian regime has openly reneged on its earlier acceptance of the OAU Framework Agreement, putting forth new preconditions now so as to torpedo the peace process.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Asmara, 14 March 1999