OWN CORRESPONDENT, Asmara | Tuesday 6.00pm.
ETHIOPIA has stepped up its assault in the border war with Eritrea in a bold offensive into west of the country.
Eritrea in response has repeated its call to the United Nations to take action against the “aggressor” in what is thought to be Africa’s bloodiest and most senseless war.
“Yes, they are showing footage of our trenches, but what did they get? There are no bodies,” Eritrean presidential spokesman Yemane Ghebremeskel said. “The Eritrean army is better positioned now to inflict maximum damage on Ethiopian troops,” he added.
Speaking on the fifth day of renewed hostilities in the border war, in which both sides have reported many thousands of enemy casualties, Yemane conceded that Ethiopian forces have entered Eritrean territory, overrunning defence lines, but said there are no fixed positions.
Earlier on Monday, a BBC correspondent who was flown over the area said he did see bodies lying in trenches after the retreat of the Eritrean army. He also said saw Ethiopian trucks and soldiers making deep advances into western Eritrea.
He said the town of Shembako, which lies on a strategic road parallel to the border which leads to the central front, has been virtually destroyed.
Yemane said heavy fighting was continuing on Tuesday. — AFP