Asmara - Tens of thousands of Eritrean civilians fled their homes yesterday ahead of the Ethiopian army, pushing deeper into the tiny Red Sea state on the eve of peace talks.
Although Eritrea had agreed to withdraw from all disputed border territories, Ethiopian infantry backed by tanks and air support were still pursuing the retreating army, government officials said in Asmara.
Many of the 150,000 residents of Adikeyhe, less than 100 km south of the capital Asmara, streamed out of the town with heavy bundles strapped to their backs after shelling from the Ethiopian army as it tried to break through Eritrean defences on the plain beneath.