The Ethiopian Air Force is at a heightened level of readiness to fulfill its national duty and mission and defend any possible attack from neighboring Somalia, Dereje Bushre, a commander of the Ethiopian Air Force Division, was quoted as saying.
The commander also noted that the 3rd Air Division is a defense and support group actively protecting the country and the eastern airspace.
In connection with this, it was also highlighted that the Eastern Command of the Federal Ministry of Defense is on full military alert.
“They are fully prepared to sacrifice their lives to defend the trust placed in them by protecting against forces attempting to invade our country and carry out terrorist attacks,” the national defense announced.
Tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia have increased further after Cairo signed a defense pact with Mogadishu and now Egypt deployed troops, weapons, and ammunition to Somalia.
There are already growing concerns about Egyptian and Ethiopian troops operating in the same area of responsibility, but also concerns from Addis Ababa that it will have Egyptian troops just over its border.
Cairo is at odds with Addis Ababa over the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) which threatens to interfere with water and irrigation supply downstream in Egypt.
While Ethiopia is moving ahead with the project in order to generate much-needed electricity, Cairo is understandably concerned with the impact that the dam could have on its population of 106 million people, which is dependent on the Nile River for nearly all of its freshwater needs.
MG/abj/APA