Three said killed in Ethiopian shelling

Three people were reportedly killed and 24 wounded when Ethiopian shells hit the Eritrean border town of Tsorona, about 85 km south of Asmara, AP said today quoting witness accounts. The shelling, which was said to have occurred on Monday, threatens to increase tension between the two countries whose border dispute is due to be discussed at the OAU summit in Burkina Faso, AP noted. There has been no official confirmation of the incident. Eritrea meanwhile has acquired a number of Russian MiG-29 fighter planes, AP reported. It said the planes were seen flying over Asmara this week, as officials from the Russian Aviation Production Ministry visited the Eritrean capital. AP recalled that earlier this month, Russia struck a deal to sell Ethiopia fighter jets, combat helicopters and other military hardware. Analysts say both sides have been importing millions of dollars worth of weaponry as well as reinforcing troops.