๐ธ๐ฉ A drone strike hits an RSF fighter mid-recording.
An RSF fighter was filming himself on the outskirts of El-Obeid in Sudan's North Kordofan when a Sudanese drone strike hit the technical vehicle he was riding in, likely killing several on board.
The RSF, or Rapid Support Forces, is the UAE-backed paramilitary group fighting Sudan's army, and a technical is a pickup mounted with a heavy weapon, the workhorse of this kind of war.
It lands as the RSF builds up its forces around El-Obeid, so the fighting there looks set to get heavier.
Source: TABZ ( Telegram ) / Writer: Daniyal
Eritrea's National Service seems to be on the spotlight again by certain quarters.
The "new interest" does not stem from some "benevolent concern" for Eritrea. On the contrary, it is floated, purely and simply, in order to weaponize it as a "convenient" whiplash or cudgel for their unwarranted and malicious policies of perennial witch-hunting and harassment.
Indeed, the logic is simple and straight forward.
Countries and international institutions that were complicit in, or that kept mum, at critical junctures of Eritrea's modern history; when its decolonization rights were compromised to mollify the overriding geopolitical interests of major powers; when they left it to its own devices during the three decades of its long and arduous liberation struggle; who relapsed to their traditional position of hostility or apathy even after independence when successive Ethiopian regimes waged illicit wars, and are still contemplating reckless agendas, of territorial irredentism.. etc. have no legal or moral authority to comment on Eritrea's defense architecture.
Truth is international partnership is, and must be, a two-way street. Those who have traditionally abandoned Eritrea during its cyclical ordeals cannot pose as "good-faith" partners to offer unsolicited "advice" on its defense architecture.
The facts are otherwise unambivalent and crystal clear:
1. First off, demobilization is not a new or novel concept to Eritrea. The GOE embarked, on its own volition, on a demobilization programme in 1992, immediately after independence, to reduce the size of the 100,000-strong army of freedom fighters by 65%. The military doctrine at the time was to maintain a small professional army of 35,000 that would be supplemented by a reserve army (National Service) for reasons of contingency in the event of some grave external threat to the nation.
2. In this perspective, National Service was introduced in the context of this military doctrine. It was and remains limited to 18 months by law. And this was the operational modality until the war of aggression that was unleashed by Ethiopia in 1998 under the false pretext of a border dispute.
3. The GOE again embarked on a much more expansive Demobilization Programme in 2001 pursuant to the signing of the Algiers Agreement. The second Demobilization Programme had various training and reinsertion components as it was also funded by Eritrea's international partners including the World Bank, the European Union and bilateral funds. More than 105,000 National Service members were demobilized in this programme that continued until 2007. But it was ultimately shelved as the Ethiopian regime continued to renege on its treaty obligations; occupy, with impunity, sovereign Eritrean territories including Badme; and further pursued a hostile policy of perpetual confrontation.
4. The mindset of the current Ethiopian regime remains, in many respects, a continuation and aggravation of the misguided and deplorable policies of aggression of its predecessors.
4. But even during these trying and difficult times, the GOE has, and continues to take, various measures to mitigate the shared burden of the National Service. The measures adopted range from introduction of new and much higher Civil Service Salary Scale to deployment of the overwhelming majority of NS members to the public sector.
5. In the event, the new smear campaign on the National Service peddled by certain quarters, and its timing, only amplify a malicious ulterior agenda that has nothing to do with the welfare of the Eritrean people and/or the pursuit of regional peace and security.
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My warm, best Congratulations to all my Eritrean bitsot & friends! Viva #Eritrea! Awet Na Hafesh! Happy Independence Day! I really look forward to visiting #Asmara someday soon. You are dearly missed. @AfCFTA_Eritrea@Eritrea_UN@shabait@ERIEMBAET
The Embassy of Eritrea and the Eritrean community in the DMV hosted a special reception for more than one hundred diplomats, Ambassadors, and friends of Eritrea from across the Washington, DC area in celebration of Eritrean Independence Day 2026.
The atmosphere was vibrant and unforgettable, showcasing the rich culture, unity, and hospitality of the Eritrean people. Guests enjoyed beautiful Eritrean cultural performances presented by the students of Adal School, whose talent and pride lit up the celebration.
The event was another powerful reflection of Eritreaโs identity, culture, and strong community spirit in the DMV area. #EritreaShineAt35
Messages of Congratulations
President Donald Trump of the United States,have sent messages of congratulations to the people and Government of Eritrea on the occasion of the 35th Independence anniversary.
In his message, President Donald Trump said that the American people join him in congratulating the people and Government of Eritrea on the 35th anniversary of Eritreaโs independence, May 24. He also expressed respect and admiration for the steadfast spirit and resilience of the Eritrean people, as well as for their dedication to Eritreaโs national sovereignty.
President Donald Trump further noted that, consistent with the sentiment he expressed in his letter to President Isaias last year, and with the previous era now behind us, he believes the time is right to move forward and work together on shared peace and prosperity across the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea
#EritreaShinesAt35 #Eritrea #USA
https://t.co/LPS8FZ2bab
New #dipolomatic development:-
President Donald #Trump congratulated #Eritrea on its #Independence_Day, affirming that with the past era behind us, the time is right to move forward together for peace and prosperity across the #HornAfrica and the #RedSea.