Fighting intensifies as rains set in

Meanwhile, fighting between Ethiopian and Eritrean troops has escalated over the past week on the Mereb-Setit front of the border war, despite heavy rains, news agencies reported. Sunday and Monday saw particularly heavy engagements in the area, where fighting has persisted since Friday, as both sides tried to secure an advantage before the rainy season sets in completely, making military offensives difficult, according to media reports. An Ethiopian statement claimed nearly two thousand Eritreans had been killed, wounded or captured in the latest fighting, while Eritrea said it had killed more than 850 Ethiopian soldiers, wounded 3,100 and captured thirteen. Both sides have also said Ethiopia bombed the Eritrean port city of Assab at the weekend.