Ethiopian Review sources are reporting that the Woyanne junta cut telephone services to Badme and other nearby towns in the past few days and moved all civilian government employees to Mekele over the weekend. The reason for cutting telephone services is to keep military movements in the area secret, according to ER sources. Eye witnesses also informed Ethiopian Review that hundreds of buses filled with soldiers are heading to the border. Yesterday, over 50 buses carrying new recruits left the city of Nazreth (Adama), according to residents.
Meanwhile, the American embassy in Addis Ababa has issued this warning to U.S. citizens:
In light of the recent increase in tensions along the Ethiopia-Eritrea border, the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa strongly advises American citizens to exercise caution when traveling to areas along Ethiopia’s border with Eritrea. The U.S. Embassy continues to restrict all travel of Embassy personnel to this region and recommends that American citizens residing in Ethiopia follow similar guidelines.
U.S. Embassy personnel have been advised to remain 60 miles from the Ethiopia-Eritrea border in the area east of Adigrat (Ethiopia) to Bure (Ethiopia), and the Djiboutian border; and 30 miles from the Ethiopia-Eritrea border in the area west of Adigrat to the Ethiopia-Sudan border, with the exception of the town of Axum.
American citizens who must travel in these areas are encouraged to avoid travel between urban areas at night, and to return to well secured locations in developed urban areas before nightfall. Travel into rural and undeveloped areas in close proximity to the above areas should be executed only when essential and with extreme care.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs internet website at http://travel.state.gov/, where the current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. Federal Holidays.)
The U.S. Embassy is located at Entoto Avenue, P.O. Box 1014, in Addis Ababa. American citizens with questions or concerns may telephone the Consular Section at 251-11-124-2424; emergency after-hours telephone: 251-11-124-2400; consular fax: 251-11-124-2435; website: http://addisababa.usembassy.gov/.