/ 23 February 1999

ETHIOPIA CLAIMS DAMAGE TO ERITREA

ETHIOPIA claims that its air force and artillery have inflicted heavy losses on Eritrea during the last two days. The country’s state-run television reported on Monday night that Ethiopian heavy artillery units had shelled Eritrean positions on the Bademe front earlier in the day. The Ethiopian air force attacked Eritrean positions on Sunday both on the Bademe and Tsorona fronts, the report said, quoting an official statement. “During these two days of combat, Ethiopia has confirmed that the Eritrean forces suffered heavy losses.” Ethiopia denied Eritrean charges that its air attacks and artillery shellings are targeted at civilians.