The Eritrean government is calling on veteran soldiers to report for training as tension with neighbouring Ethiopia is escalating, APA learnt over the weekend.
The two Horn neighbours fought a bitter border conflict in the late 1990s which ended in 2000.
Eritrea was part of Ethiopia until it gained independence after a separatist war which lasted for more than 20 years.
Eritrean migrants living in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, confirmed to this medium that their compatriots who are under the age of 60 and have previously served in the military are required to report to training centers.
This comes amid unverified reports that Eritrea is preparing to close its embassy in Addis Ababa as the two countries relations remain strained, with many fearing that the situation could deteriorate further.
Relations hit the rocks shortly after former Ethiopian president Mulatu Teshome wrote an article and published on Al Jazeera, blaming the Eritrean government for brewing and stoking the embers of conflict in the region.
“War is the main business and preoccupation of the Eritrean state. Stirring conflict here and there, supporting rebels, insurgents or governments seeking war and division throughout the region seems to be the raison d’etre of the Eritrean state,” Teshome wrote.
Recently, the Eritrean government imposed travel restrictions, prohibiting citizens under the age of 50 from leaving the country without authorisation from relevant authorities.
The migrants told APA that residents of Asmara have been informed of the new regulations. Those visiting localities to access government services, including travel permits, were briefed on the updated requirements.
They said prisoners who served in the military and are not convicted of serious crimes are being released to rejoin the armed forces.
The escalating tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia have raised concerns about the possibility of armed conflict. Earlier this week, the Eritrean government accused Ethiopia of “warmongering” following an op-ed by Teshome published on Al Jazeera.
MG/as/APA