FRIDAY, 7.30PM:
ERITREA has confirmed that it bombed the northern Etiopian town of Adigrat on Thursday, killing four people and injuring more than 30. Adigrat has become Ethiopia’s main garrison for reinforcements and logistics, according to the Eritrean News Agency.
Eritrea has also revealed that more than 30 civilians were killed or wounded in Ethiopian air raids on the capital, Asmara, on June 5 and 6. More than 45 people were killed in Eritrean air raids on the northern Ethiopian town of Mekele on June 5. Each country has accused the other of starting the air raids.
Fighting in the south near the Eritrean port of Assab had subsided, according to reports, with troops on both sides back in their positions.
Nonetheless the neighbouring enclave of Djibouti, alarmed by the spread of the conflict to the Assab region, has deployed troops along its borders with Eritrea and Ethiopia. Diplomats say authorities in Djibouti believe there is a possibility that Ethiopia might make a grab for Assab. Djibouti has become Ethiopia’s preferred sea port since the start of the conflict. Ethiopia relies on coffee exports for a significant portion of its income, and much of its coffee was formerly routed through Assab.
Meanwhile two decrepit warships flying the Ethiopian flag have been reported in Djibouti port, both armed with missile-launchers, along with three patrol boats. Ethiopian merchant shipping is also using the port heavily, and facilities there are under pressure to cope with the increased traffic.
Diplomats say that because of a French military base in Djibouti, Ethiopia and Eritrea are unlikely to let the fighting extend into Djibouti’s territory.
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