Ethiopian Observer

This day June 5, 1998 exactly eight years ago, Eritrean fighter planes headed toward the capital Mekelle of the Tigrean region in Ethiopia and attacked with cluster bombs Ayder elementary school. The deliberate and macabre attack by Shaibya was conducted in two separate flights over the school, killing the innocent and defenseless children during the first raid, while targeting those who came to their rescue during the second round. There were totally 53 people killed and 185 injured. Debris from the classrooms and shrapnel from the cluster bombs dug through the bodies of our young Ethiopian children, while the commander of the Eritrean Air force was quoted by the AFP as saying “ This is tit for tat …..One to 100, that is the exchange rate”. The response by Isaias as war not having any rules and as such defying international law and responsibility for this war crime and its outcome did exacerbate the shock and anger of Ethiopians against the brute force and demoniac act of the regime in Asmara.

Ayder School was the scene of carnage, several miles away from Badme, Irob, Zalambessa and Bure, the contested and occupied territories by Eritrea. It was and has been since this malevolent attack, the symbol of Ethiopian resistance as well as the mark of Ethiopian solidarity. Therefore, this day with a sore heart, we do remember our martyred children and rescue people, who got killed cold-bloodedly, others soaked in blood and maimed, calling desperately for help, mothers and fathers with inconsolable grief for losing their beloved ones by wicked regime of Shaibya . Let’s lit a candle in memory of these sons and daughters of Ethiopia. May their souls rest in eternal peace. The sorrow is with us, they will not be forgotten.