Ethiopian soldiers defect to Eritrea

JERUSALEM – At least seven Ethiopian soldiers have defected to Eritrea during a training course in Israel, at a time of growing tension between the two Horn of Africa countries and fears of a new border war.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the soldiers went missing several days ago after a course run by a private company and then decided to go to Eritrea rather than Ethiopia. Israeli media said the men had family in Eritrea and had requested political asylum from Eritrea’s ambassador in Tel Aviv on Tuesday.They were then flown to the Red Sea State on a private plane.Tension has been growing between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which fought a 1998-2000 border war that killed an estimated 70 000 people from both countries.- Nampa-ReutersIsraeli media said the men had family in Eritrea and had requested political asylum from Eritrea’s ambassador in Tel Aviv on Tuesday.They were then flown to the Red Sea State on a private plane.Tension has been growing between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which fought a 1998-2000 border war that killed an estimated 70 000 people from both countries.- Nampa-Reuters