Eritrean troops in Barentu are fleeing as Barentu is about to collapse. Eritrean army units in the vicinity of Barentu that were trying to reorganize have already been soundly destroyed. Fighting at Maidima continued today and the Eritrean military sustained heavy human and material losses. In coordination with the ground forces, the courageous Ethiopian air force continued to play a major role in battles today by bombing strategic military targets in the vicinity of Das and Senafe and between Adi-Keieh and Segeneity. All aircraft returned safely to base.
Fighting still continues.
Background In May and June of 1998, the Eritrean army invaded and occupied various Ethiopian territories. Although Badme was liberated in February 1999, many other areas remain under Eritrean occupation, despite repeated attempts by the OAU and its mediation partners to implement a peace plan that calls for Eritrea to withdraw its troops to the positions they held before 6 May 1998. As a result of Eritrea's unwillingness to peacefully reverse its aggression, thousands of Ethiopian citizens have suffered immensely for two years. In addition to the human suffering, the Eritrean army has also caused much material destruction, setting Ethiopia's development back by several years. Vast areas have been heavily landmined by Eritrean troops, making a return to these areas very unsafe and preventing peasants from farming their land Churches have been desecrated and are being used as warehouses to store Eritrean weapons, ammunition and other material for the Eritrean army.