Ethiopia's inexorable drive towards full-scale war

Exactly one year ago at approximately 2:20 p.m., Ethiopian Mig fighter jets bombed Asmara, Eritrea's capital, in what was the first use of aircraft and a major escalation of what, until then, had been a localized border conflict.

The bombing of Asmara occurred on the morrow of a public announcement by Ethiopia's Prime Minister who told his domestic audience through the local TV and radio that "the Ethiopian armed forces have been given orders today to take all necessary measures to repulse Eritrea's Aggression". The Ethiopian Prime Minister gave the orders for escalating the war in spite of Addis Abeba's parallel announcement the same day that it "had accepted the US-Rwanda recommendations".

Forced to react, the Eritrean Air Force bombed the military airport in Mekele destroying several fighter aircraft. In the retaliatory strikes, stray bombs caused damage to a school resulting in unfortunate casualties. The Government of Eritrea promptly apologized for the unintentional loss of human life.

Ethiopia again used its air force to bomb Asmara the following day stopping only after two of its planes were shot down by Eritrean air-defense.

The United States brokered a moratorium on air strikes on June 14, although Ethiopia rejected Eritrean proposals for a total ban on air strikes as a first step towards a comprehensive cessation of hostilities.

The introduction of air strikes by Ethiopia a full year ago takes on a disturbing significance now. In retrospect, the Ethiopian air strikes on June fifth must be seen as a significant reflection of the regime's decision to pursue war, not peace with Eritrea.

In February this year, after several months of intensive efforts by the OAU and other concerned parties, Ethiopia jumped the gun once again in a clear move to thwart peace. This time, however, the offensives unleashed by Ethiopia had all the characteristics of a total war. This occurred despite the OAU peace process that was in motion and a contravention of international calls (OAU, UN Security Council) for "both sides to observe maximum restraint".

Ethiopia's bogus pretext for launching its attack in February were fictitious claims of an "Eritrean air strikes on Adi-Grat". Again, the timing of the attack reveals a considered decision to impede peace with continued fighting.

This second phase of the TPLF's offensive became the venue for an Ethiopian air campaign that selected civilian targets deep in Eritrea and far from disputed territories. The decision to again resort to air attacks in this period was in contravention of the moratorium on air strikes. Ethiopia's random air raids in the past three months included:
* February 7th, residential quarter in Adi Qualla
* February 8th, residential quarter in Adi Qualla
* February 9th, displacement camps in Deda Lalai
* February 6th-9th, villages in Zalambessa and environs
* February 21st, villages of Menka'ka and Adin (Assab)
* February 22nd, town of Tsorona
* March 3rd, Hazemo and environs
* March 16th, town centre in Kinafina
* March 18-19th, central market in Shambuko
* March 29th, Adi Keshi and Koferenko
* April 15th, church in Adi Keieh and Mendefera
* April 28th, Bimbina
* May 15th, Zalambessa
* May 16th, warehouse in Massawa

Around 80 Eritrean civilians were either killed or maimed as a result of these strikes. Whole villages (Shambuko), residential quarters, a church, food storage and warehouses were destroyed.

The year since Ethiopia bombed Asmara has illustrated the scale of Ethiopia's intentions and the means by which the TPLF regime is prepared to continually escalate the conflict to deter peace. In one year, Ethiopia has carried out the expulsion of close to 60,000 Eritrean civilians. In one year, Ethiopia has used its mercenary-led Air force to attack innocent civilians throughout Eritrea. In one year, Ethiopia has consistently rejected a cease-fire. In one year, Ethiopia has repeatedly, and actively, thwarted efforts for peace. And yet, the border crisis was easily solvable from the outset and remains solvable if the TPLF regime was serious about peace.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Asmara, 5 June 1999