Eritrean President on Thursday visited Assab in southern Red Sea zone of Eritrea. Assab is a port city situated on the west coast of the Red Sea. The President presided over a meeting of Southern Red Sea Zone officials. This is the first time in years that Eritrean President visited Assab. His visit has sparked discussion about the objective of this visit.
Last year, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed claimed that landlocked Ethiopia had natural right to gain access to sea. He did not name Eritrea or Assab, but most experts back then said that Ethiopian Prime Minister was actually talking about access to Assab port which is situated around 70 km away from the Ethiopian border.
Ethiopia and Eritrea, through their activists and media, recently accused each other of backing armed groups against each other. If Ethiopia tries to interfere in Eritrea, Assab could be the first target. Egypt, arch rival to Ethiopia, is interested in gaining a military foothold in Assab. The Presidents of Eritrea, Egypt and Somalia recently met in Asmara. The meeting was seen as an attempt to form a regional alliance against Ethiopia.
Reportedly, the Eritrean President briefed his government officials about the strategic significance of Assab port, asking them to be alert and vigilant.
Abune Basilios Elected as 6th Eritrean Orthodox Patriarch
Ethiopian Airline Plane Faces Technical Fault in the Air
More Stories
Eritrea Detains 3 Azerbaijani Ships
President of Somalia Arrives in Eritrea for Key Meeting
Eritrea Criticizes General Tsadkan Gebretensae of Tigray