Historical Record of Genocidal Atrocities Committed by the Eritrean Regime Against Tigray
Mekelle፡ Nevomber, 2024 (Tigray Herald)
By Yerga Yaexobe
Historical Record of Genocidal Atrocities Committed by the Eritrean Regime Against Tigray
A Reminder of Pain, Resilience, and Unbreakable Spirit
Section I: 1984 – The First Intent of Genocide by Hunger and Blockade
“Starvation as a Weapon”
Event Summary
In 1984, during the height of Ethiopia’s famine, the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF)
actively obstructed critical aid routes to Tigray from Sudan. By blocking access to the only viable
path for food and essential supplies, the EPLF enacted a deliberate plan to inflict severe
suffering and starvation upon the Tigrayan population. The Eritrean forces at that time held
strategic positions along the Sudanese border, intentionally preventing Tigrayans from receiving
the humanitarian aid essential to their survival.
Consequences and Impact
Loss of Life: Over half a million Tigrayans perished as a result of starvation. These were
preventable deaths, a calculated consequence of the EPLF’s actions, marking the first explicit
genocidal intent by Eritrean forces against Tigray.
Enduring Trauma: The memory of these atrocities is imprinted in Tigrayan history, marking
Eritrea as a lasting adversary.
Quote for Reflection:
“Starvation was not an accident but a weapon, wielded to eliminate Tigray’s strength, spirit, and
will to survive.”
Section II: 1991 – The Second Wave of Genocide, Ethnic Cleansing, and Expulsion
“Erased and Exiled: The Deportation of Tigrayans from Eritrea”
Event Summary
On May 29, 1991, after the EPLF entered Asmara and assumed control, Eritrea began a
systematic campaign targeting the Tigrayan community. Hundreds of thousands of Tigrayans
who had resided and contributed to Eritrea for generations were subjected to expulsion, brutal
treatment, and economic ruin. This violent expulsion coincided with Eritrea’s provisional
government and reflected a policy of ethnic cleansing.
Consequences and Impact
Mass Deportations and Property Confiscation: Tigrayans in Eritrea were deported en masse,
their properties seized. Inhumane acts of violence marked this campaign, including the forcible
extraction of gold teeth and the confiscation of personal belongings.
Ethnic Cleansing: This was a calculated move by the Eritrean regime to erase any Tigrayan
presence, identity, and influence within Eritrea.
Quote for Reflection:
“Our homes were taken, our lives shattered; the world watched as Eritrea erased our existence
in their land.” Section III: 1998 – The Badme War and Genocidal Acts of Massacres, Rape, and Bombing of
Civilians
“Relentless Aggression: The Badme War as a Prelude to Genocide”
Event Summary
The 1998 Eritrean-Ethiopian border conflict escalated into yet another instance of Eritrean
forces targeting Tigrayan civilians. The Eritrean air force bombed schools, killing over 100
children. This aggression extended to widespread violence, with many Tigrayans killed,
deported, and subjected to brutal acts of sexual violence. The Eritrean regime used these
actions to instill fear, assert dominance, and cause irreparable harm to the Tigrayan populace.
Consequences and Impact
Systematic Killing and Violence: The Eritrean regime engaged in targeted attacks on civilians,
inflicting immense suffering and trauma upon Tigrayan families.
Psychological Scars: The bombing of schoolchildren remains one of the most painful memories
in Tigray’s collective history, symbolizing the deliberate intent of Eritrea to destroy Tigray’s future
generations.
Quote for Reflection:
“In the smoke of bombed classrooms and the cries of our lost children, the Eritrean regime
revealed its true intent.”
Section IV: 2000 – 2020 – The Cumulative Aggression and Support for Anti-Tigrayan Forces
“Unending Hostility: Eritrea’s Campaign of Destabilization”
Event Summary
From 2000 to 2020, the Eritrean regime continued to antagonize Tigray by arming various
militant groups, including the Somali terrorist group al-Shabaab. Eritrea trained and supported
insurgent groups with the clear intent of destabilizing Tigray and undermining its leadership.
Infiltrators disguised as refugees further spread discord, leading to heightened tensions and
insecurity in the region.
Consequences and Impact
Unrest and Insecurity: Eritrea’s involvement in Tigray’s affairs, particularly through indirect
channels, stoked ongoing violence and instability.
Strategic Isolation: By fostering anti-Tigrayan forces, Eritrea perpetuated a state of insecurity
that undermined Tigray’s development and peace efforts.
Quote for Reflection:
“The Eritrean regime’s hand in destabilization knows no borders; it stretches into the heart of
Tigray to fuel division and discord.”
Section V: 2020 – 2022 – The Devastating Tigray Genocide
“The Ultimate Betrayal: Eritrea’s Masterminding of the 2020 Tigray Genocide”
Event Summary uring the Tigray Genocide, the Eritrean regime led a campaign of unparalleled brutality.
Massacres, gang rapes, destruction of infrastructure, looting of properties, and cultural
annihilation marked a concerted effort to obliterate the Tigrayan people. Religious sites, ancient
artifacts, and irreplaceable symbols of Tigrayan heritage were desecrated or stolen, leaving
deep scars on Tigray’s cultural landscape.
Consequences and Impact
Mass Killing and Atrocity Crimes: Hundreds of thousands of Tigrayans were murdered, and
nearly half a million women suffered from gender-based violence. The magnitude of the
atrocities underscores the Eritrean regime’s intention to annihilate the Tigrayan population.
Cultural and Historical Loss: Eritrea’s forces not only took lives but also destroyed the historical
foundations of Tigray’s identity. Churches, manuscripts, and artifacts that survived millennia
were reduced to ruins or looted.
Quote for Reflection:
“They came not only to take our lives but to erase our legacy, our history, and our very
existence.”
Conclusion: The Unforgivable Legacy of the Eritrean Regime’s Genocidal Intent
“Eternal Vigilance: A Call for Justice and Accountability”
For every Tigrayan, the Eritrean regime’s genocidal actions represent an unforgivable chapter in
their history. From blocking aid to enacting mass killings, Eritrea’s leadership has proven its
deep-seated enmity toward Tigray. Every act has been marked by intentional brutality,
reinforcing its position as Tigray’s historical enemy. Efforts for reconciliation are not mere words;
they carry the weight of generational trauma, loss, and an unbroken commitment to justice.
Final Reflection
“To forget is a betrayal. We remember not out of hatred, but out of an unyielding commitment to
justice. This pain is our legacy, and our perseverance is our revenge.”
Appendix
Timeline of Major Events and Genocidal Actions by the Eritrean Regime
1984: Starvation Tactics – Blocking Aid to Tigray
1991: Ethnic Cleansing – Expulsion of Tigrayans from Eritrea
1998: Border War and Civilian Massacres
2000-2020: Support for Anti-Tigrayan Forces
2020-2022: Tigray Genocide – Massacres, Sexual Violence, and Cultural Destruction
International Calls for Accountability: Actions Tigray can seek through international bodies,
including the UN and ICC, to pursue justice and expose Eritrea’s genocidal history.
Essential Resources: Recommended
Mekelle፡ Nevomber 2፡ 2024 (Tigray Herald)
Historical timeline Record of Genocidal Atrocities Committed by the Eritrean Regime Against Tigray
A Reminder of Pain, Resilience, and Unbreakable Spirit
Section I: 1984 – The First Intent of Genocide by Hunger and Blockade
“Starvation as a Weapon”
Event Summary
In 1984, during the height of Ethiopia’s famine, the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) actively obstructed critical aid routes to Tigray from Sudan. By blocking access to the only viable path for food and essential supplies, the EPLF enacted a deliberate plan to inflict severe suffering and starvation upon the Tigrayan population. The Eritrean forces at that time held strategic positions along the Sudanese border, intentionally preventing Tigrayans from receiving the humanitarian aid essential to their survival.
Consequences and Impact
Loss of Life: Over half a million Tigrayans perished as a result of starvation. These were preventable deaths, a calculated consequence of the EPLF’s actions, marking the first explicit genocidal intent by Eritrean forces against Tigray.
Enduring Trauma: The memory of these atrocities is imprinted in Tigrayan history, marking Eritrea as a lasting adversary.
Quote for Reflection:
“Starvation was not an accident but a weapon, wielded to eliminate Tigray’s strength, spirit, and will to survive.”
Section II: 1991 – The Second Wave of Genocide, Ethnic Cleansing, and Expulsion
“Erased and Exiled: The Deportation of Tigrayans from Eritrea”
Event Summary
On May 29, 1991, after the EPLF entered Asmara and assumed control, Eritrea began a systematic campaign targeting the Tigrayan community. Hundreds of thousands of Tigrayans who had resided and contributed to Eritrea for generations were subjected to expulsion, brutal treatment, and economic ruin. This violent expulsion coincided with Eritrea’s provisional government and reflected a policy of ethnic cleansing.
Consequences and Impact
Mass Deportations and Property Confiscation: Tigrayans in Eritrea were deported en masse, their properties seized. Inhumane acts of violence marked this campaign, including the forcible extraction of gold teeth and the confiscation of personal belongings.
Ethnic Cleansing: This was a calculated move by the Eritrean regime to erase any Tigrayan presence, identity, and influence within Eritrea.
Quote for Reflection:
“Our homes were taken, our lives shattered; the world watched as Eritrea erased our existence in their land.”
Section III: 1998 – The Badme War and Genocidal Acts of Massacres, Rape, and Bombing of Civilians
“Relentless Aggression: The Badme War as a Prelude to Genocide”
Event Summary
The 1998 Eritrean-Ethiopian border conflict escalated into yet another instance of Eritrean forces targeting Tigrayan civilians. The Eritrean air force bombed schools, killing over 100 children. This aggression extended to widespread violence, with many Tigrayans killed, deported, and subjected to brutal acts of sexual violence. The Eritrean regime used these actions to instill fear, assert dominance, and cause irreparable harm to the Tigrayan populace.
Consequences and Impact
Systematic Killing and Violence: The Eritrean regime engaged in targeted attacks on civilians, inflicting immense suffering and trauma upon Tigrayan families.
Psychological Scars: The bombing of schoolchildren remains one of the most painful memories in Tigray’s collective history, symbolizing the deliberate intent of Eritrea to destroy Tigray’s future generations.
Quote for Reflection:
“In the smoke of bombed classrooms and the cries of our lost children, the Eritrean regime revealed its true intent.”
Section IV: 2000 – 2020 – The Cumulative Aggression and Support for Anti-Tigrayan Forces
“Unending Hostility: Eritrea’s Campaign of Destabilization”
Event Summary
From 2000 to 2020, the Eritrean regime continued to antagonize Tigray by arming various militant groups, including the Somali terrorist group al-Shabaab. Eritrea trained and supported insurgent groups with the clear intent of destabilizing Tigray and undermining its leadership. Infiltrators disguised as refugees further spread discord, leading to heightened tensions and insecurity in the region.
Consequences and Impact
Unrest and Insecurity: Eritrea’s involvement in Tigray’s affairs, particularly through indirect channels, stoked ongoing violence and instability.
Strategic Isolation: By fostering anti-Tigrayan forces, Eritrea perpetuated a state of insecurity that undermined Tigray’s development and peace efforts.
Quote for Reflection:
“The Eritrean regime’s hand in destabilization knows no borders; it stretches into the heart of Tigray to fuel division and discord.”
Section V: 2020 – 2022 – The Devastating Tigray Genocide
“The Ultimate Betrayal: Eritrea’s Masterminding of the 2020 Tigray Genocide”
Event Summary
During the Tigray Genocide, the Eritrean regime led a campaign of unparalleled brutality. Massacres, gang rapes, destruction of infrastructure, looting of properties, and cultural annihilation marked a concerted effort to obliterate the Tigrayan people. Religious sites, ancient artifacts, and irreplaceable symbols of Tigrayan heritage were desecrated or stolen, leaving deep scars on Tigray’s cultural landscape.
Consequences and Impact
Mass Killing and Atrocity Crimes: Hundreds of thousands of Tigrayans were murdered, and nearly half a million women suffered from gender-based violence. The magnitude of the atrocities underscores the Eritrean regime’s intention to annihilate the Tigrayan population.
Cultural and Historical Loss: Eritrea’s forces not only took lives but also destroyed the historical foundations of Tigray’s identity. Churches, manuscripts, and artifacts that survived millennia were reduced to ruins or looted.
Quote for Reflection:
“They came not only to take our lives but to erase our legacy, our history, and our very existence.”
Conclusion: The Unforgivable Legacy of the Eritrean Regime’s Genocidal Intent
“Eternal Vigilance: A Call for Justice and Accountability”
For every Tigrayan, the Eritrean regime’s genocidal actions represent an unforgivable chapter in their history. From blocking aid to enacting mass killings, Eritrea’s leadership has proven its deep-seated enmity toward Tigray. Every act has been marked by intentional brutality, reinforcing its position as Tigray’s historical enemy. Efforts for reconciliation are not mere words; they carry the weight of generational trauma, loss, and an unbroken commitment to justice.
Final Reflection
“To forget is a betrayal. We remember not out of hatred, but out of an unyielding commitment to justice. This pain is our legacy, and our perseverance is our revenge.”
Appendix
Timeline of Major Events and Genocidal Actions by the Eritrean Regime
1984: Starvation Tactics – Blocking Aid to Tigray
1991: Ethnic Cleansing – Expulsion of Tigrayans from Eritrea
1998: Border War and Civilian Massacres
2000-2020: Support for Anti-Tigrayan Forces
2020-2022: Tigray Genocide – Massacres, Sexual Violence, and Cultural Destruction
Continued Violations Despite the Pretoria Peace Agreement
Eritrea has not abided by the terms of the Pretoria Peace Agreement and continues to commit atrocities and sabotage efforts towards peace. Occupying the lands of minority groups such as the Irob and Kunama, Eritrea denies these communities access to essential resources, education, and healthcare, aiming to dismantle their presence and heritage.
Appendices
1. International Calls for Accountability
Tigray can leverage international bodies, such as the United Nations (UN) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), to pursue justice. International advocacy is crucial to expose Eritrea’s genocidal actions and demand accountability.
2. Condemnation of Complicit Tigrayan Political Leaders
Tigrayan political leaders who conspire with the Eritrean regime in these atrocities are committing a profound betrayal of their people. This collaboration is a historic wrongdoing and must be condemned in the strongest terms. Their actions enable the suffering of innocent communities and betray the memory of those who have suffered and died under Eritrean aggression.
International Calls for Accountability: Actions Tigray can seek through international bodies, including the UN and ICC, to pursue justice and expose Eritrea’s genocidal history.
Essential Resources: Recommended reading, historical documents, and survivor testimonies for further context on Tigray’s suffering and Eritrea’s role in these atrocities.
This document is a solemn reminder that the atrocities committed against Tigray are etched in history and remain an unhealed wound for the Tigrayan people.
