Press Release
Ethiopian Regime Continues to Perpetrate Wanton Destruction

The Ethiopian army on Monday redeployed its troops from the border village of Kisad Ika on the road from Adi Quala, apparently for logistical purposes. In the process, the army resorted to its routine acts of state vandalism and incinerated 170 houses of village residents and stole the remaining tin roofs of their homes, leaving the people without shelter or protection from the heavy rains.

In addition, the Gash Barka Region administration issued, yesterday, a preliminary report of the atrocities committed and extent of damage caused by the TPLF regime during its invasion and occupation of the area in May and June of this year. Part of the report's information was compiled from direct eyewitness accounts and interviews of victims who endured the assaults. Based on this report, the following information was revealed:
* In a recent count of the southern area, it was noted that 101 civilians were killed, 117 wounded and another 36 missing. For those who still live under occupation, their situations remain unknown.
* Accounts of fifty women raped by Ethiopian soldiers were also reported.
* 26,746 livestock have been stolen and killed.
* 8,692 small and large buildings have been burned and ruined. 992 shops, and 861 hotels and other private businesses have been ransacked and demolished.
* Twenty four mosques and churches were robbed of their property and the remains torn apart.
* Over 25 trucks and five bulldozers were stolen by the Ethiopian army to be used in its destruction and looting.
In all areas under occupation, water and electricity power centers have been dynamited and put out of use. Bread factories, flour mills, health clinics, pharmacies, schools, large warehouses, cotton-, wood- and tobacco-producing factories and six large and small size bridges have been dismantled and razed.

Up until now, in total, twenty five Eritrean towns and villages have been methodically demolished to inflict continued damage on the Eritrean infrastructure and its people. These villages and towns, including Faulina, Sifra Genet, Dembe Terrer, Atiabir, Mulki, Bushuka, Shambuko, Ilalla, Gusema, Dembe Himbirti, Tsebra, Barentu, Gogni, Tessenei, Ali Gider, Guluj, Tebeldia, Gergef and Om Hajer, have been destroyed with the populations expelled and the areas left unlivable.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Asmara, 12 July 2000