18 Eritrean soldiers died in the June 12 TPLF attack: President Isaias Afwerki

Eritrean Defense Forces

Eritrea lost 18 soldiers in the recent Ethiopian (TPLF) offensive, according to diplomat Dessale Berhane, who cited President Isaias Afwerki.

#Eritrea lost 18 in the last Weyane offensive. President Issayas

— Dessale Berhane (@dessale) June 20, 2016

In a statement made on state media, Eritrea said more than 200 TPLF troops were killed in the June 12 clashes and a further 300 were wounded. The tolls are “conservative estimates,” it added.

The fighting erupted in the Tsorona region when TPLF forces launched a large attack within Eritrea's territory using heavy artillery and ground troops.

After hours of fighting, Eritrean Defense Forces launched a successful pincer counter-strike that pinned the invading TPLF troops on three sides and forced them to hastily retreat to positions further from where they initially started their attack.

Much of the losses for TPLF came when they were hastily retreating in disarray, according to a source familiar with the situation.

During the June 12 TPLF offensive, Eritrean Defense Forces launched a successful pincer attack that resulted in a complete rout of TPLF forces.  

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