Intense fighting has been reported along the border areas
between Eritrea and Ethiopia on Sunday (12 June), raising the spectre of a
fresh war breaking out in the eastern African region. Troops from both
countries are thought to have been involved in the heavy clashes, which came
just days after Eritrea marked its 25 years of independence from it's
neighbouring country of Ethiopia.
The Eritrean regime blamed the Ethiopian forces of
unleashing a full-scale attack on the frontier. A short statement, released by
the country's information ministry, read: "The TPLF [Tigrayan People's
Liberation Front] has today, Sunday 12 June, 2016, unleaded an attack against
Eritrea on the Tsorona Central Front. The purpose and ramifications of this attack
are not clear. The government of Eritrea will issue further statements on the
unfolding situation."
Multiple local reports, citing sources and witnesses, have
confirmed the presence of heavy artillery and troops in the region. The
fighting, which began at dawn on Sunday (12 June), is thought to be ongoing.
Unconfirmed reports have also suggest both Eritrean and Ethiopian troops have
made incursions into each other's territories.
The purported fighting occurred shortly after the UN
published a report accusing the Eritrean regime, led by President Isaias
Afwerki, of carrying out crimes against humanity. The UN's commission of
inquiry said, on 8 June, that the leaders of the tiny Horn of Africa country
should be held accountable at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Eritrea -
known as the North Korea of Africa - remained one of the most reclusive and
isolated countries in the world, with a poor track record of human rights under
Afwerki's regime.
