Press Release (14:00 hrs. LT)
Ethiopian Attack on the Mereb-Setit Front

The TPLF regime opened a new attack on the right flank of the Mereb-Setit front (i.e., Setit end) today. The attack started around 8:00 a.m. this morning.

The TPLF's fresh attack on the right flank of the Mereb-Setit front today comes in the wake of a UN Security Council demand on Wednesday for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire.

The TPLF's new attack comes after almost ten days of lull in the fighting. The TPLF regime was heavily battered in the fighting that took place from 10-16 June along the central flank of the same front. More than 18,000 Ethiopian soldiers were either killed or wounded, while four MiG-23 fighter planes and an MI-35 helicopter gunship were destroyed in those battles. The TPLF later came out with imaginary figures of Eritrean casualties and an extended period of fighting to conceal its defeat from its own people.

Fighting was going on at press time.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Asmara, 25 June 1999