Ethiopian and Eritrean forces engaged on a border clash

By Tesfa-alem Tekle

March 19, 2008 (ZALAMBESA) — Ethiopian and Eritrean forces on Monday fought for about one hour on north Ethiopian Tigray region’s Zalambesa front on a specific place called Anbeset Geleba, military official said.

The clash comes after Eritrean forces approach Ethiopian border to return back two farmers who earlier to the clash fled to Ethiopian border driving 2 tractors, said Birhanu Hagezom, military chief of a regiment at Zalambesa front.

“Ethiopian forces were forced to be engaged on a defensive military attack as the Eritrean solders continue attacking our military barracks using the incident of the fleeing Eritrean farmers as a means” Birhanu told reporters.

Birhanu rejected on some reports saying 2 Ethiopians solders were killed on the clash.

“Our forces were not exposed to the attack but they were defending from their military barracks” he said adding “No soldiers has died or injured from our side but the Eritrean forces were strike back with a heavy loss”. He said.

But some unconfirmed source from the battle area said that 5 Eritrean and 2 Ethiopian solders have died while 7 Eritrean solders surrender as the result of the clash.

(ST)