Press Release
One MiG-23 Jet Fighter Shot Down;
Nineteen Tanks Destroyed and Two Captured

The large-scale offensive that the Ethiopian regime launched this morning on the Tsorona flank of the Alitena-Mereb front has been repulsed with the enemy suffering heavy human losses.

The infantry and mechanized attacks were accompanied by heavy shelling and air bombardment with mercenary pilots.

One MiG-23 jet fighter was shot down. Nineteen tanks were destroyed while two were captured.

Ethiopia launched its war of aggression 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