afrol News, 11 June - Two Djibouti troops were killed and scores injured in fresh border clashes with Eritrea forces yesterday.

This was the first clash was since 1996. Tensions upped between the two neighbours two months ago raising fears of military confrontation.

Djibouti government has claimed that fighting erupted after Eritrean military officials issued an ultimatum for Djibouti to turn in 30 Eritrean deserters on its soil or face armed action.

"Our forces were forced to fight back after coming under fire from Eritrean troops demanding the return of deserters who had fled to Djibouti," said statement released by Djibouti government.

Djibouti accused Eritrea of digging trenches and building fortifications on the Djiboutian side of the frontier in mid April, but Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki refuted the allegation.

Djiboutian army has close to 75 percent of its troops stationed along its boundary with Eritrea, which makes it one of Africa's most militarised states.

Both countries had in the past clashed twice over the border area at the southern end of the Red Sea.

Djibouti hosts two foreign military bases, including one of France's biggest overseas contingents and a U.S. counter-terrorism task force of about 2,000 soldiers.

Since Eritrea gained independence in 1993, the Horn of Africa country has been involved in two serious conflicts over territorial demarcations with its neighbours.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories