Ethiopia says an “all-out invasion” by Eritrean forces left it with no option but to defend itself, according to a letter to the United Nations (UN) shared with Reuters on Friday, as blasts continued near the border between the two countries.
In the government’s first official statement on reported incursions by Eritrean troops this week that have raised fears of outright war between the Horn of Africa neighbours, Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos said Eritrean forces had advanced up to 60 kilometres into northern Ethiopia’s Tigray region.
The letter, dated Thursday, was addressed to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. The senior Ethiopian government official who shared the letter said it was also sent to the other members of the UN Security Council.
Eritrea’s information minister Yemane Gebremeskel did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday.
On Wednesday, he called reports of an Eritrean incursion part of an Ethiopian plan to justify a war of aggression against his country.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
–Reuters–
