Eritrean rebels claim killing 25 military officers

By Tesfa Alem Tekle

January 2, 2010 (MEKELLE, N. Ethiopia) – Eritrean rebel groups on Friday claimed killing and wounding at least 63 government troops in what they said was in response to “the wide ranging oppression and ongoing ethnic cleansing launched by the Eritrean government against the Afar nationals and the helpless Eritreans”.

The rebel forces from Red Sea Afar Democratic Organization (RSADO) and from the Eritrean Salvation Front (ESF) said that the attacks were carried out in two military camps, based in the southern zones of zalambesa and Tserona.

“Over 100 fighters of the joint forces today, at around 4 PM (local time) strike two military camps Kokobay, and Kermeti specific areas and killed 25 government troops and wounded 38 others” RSADO’s information and communication head Yassin Mohamed told Sudan Tribune

“Both military camps, one belonging to the Eritrean intelligence service are completely destroyed and military leaders of the two bases are killed” he added.

The rebel official further said that its fighters have captured a number of Weapons, military logistics and left behind nothing but burnt down the bases.

The rebel groups further said that they will escalate their armed struggle until the doom of the regime and to bring an end to ethnic cleansing activities of the Eritrean government.

The rebel groups called on other Eritrean forces to join the armed struggle to topple President Issayas led government.

International human right watchdogs have repeatedly labeled the tiny red sea nation as one of the top human right violating nations of the planet. It is also blamed for being the most destabilizing factor to the regional peace and stability.

Last Wednesday, the UN Security Council imposed an arms embargo on the country for arming training and supporting Somalia insurgent group. The council has also laid a travel ban and frozen assets of the top military officials.

(ST)