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Two vehicles belonging to Canadian peacekeepers of the United Nations Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) struck mines near the southern Eritrean town of Tsorena on Monday and Tuesday this week. An UNMEE statement released on Wednesday, 14 March, said there were no casualties, though both armoured vehicles were damaged. UNMEE Force Commander Major-General Patrick Cammaert said it underscored “the absolute necessity of receiving all relevant mine information from both parties.” Mine information was needed to protect peacekeepers and ensure the safety of internally displaced populations, he said. The incidents are being investigated, UNMEE said.
Elsewhere, UNMEE Slovak and Bangladesh deming units are clearing areas and establishing routes, while the Mine Action Coordination Centre (UNMEE-MACC) is working to train deminers, said the statement.
Establishment of the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) was interrupted after Eritrea complained that UNMEE had re-drawn previously agreed boundaries for the buffer zone.
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