Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10ASMARA39
2010-02-18 11:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
THE ISAIAS REGIME'S SECURITY POSTURE
how-toINFO LOG-00 MFA-00 EEB-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 INL-00 DOTE-00 DS-00 DHSE-00 OIGO-00 FAAE-00 VCI-00 H-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 LAB-01 MOFM-00 MOF-00 VCIE-00 DCP-00 NSAE-00 ISN-00 OIG-00 NIMA-00 PM-00 GIWI-00 ISNE-00 DOHS-00 FMPC-00 SP-00 IRM-00 SSO-00 SS-00 SCRS-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-00 SAS-00 FA-00 SWCI-00 PESU-00 SANA-00 /001W R 181117Z FEB 10 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0710 INFO IGAD COLLECTIVE DIA WASHDC SECDEF WASHDC JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL NSC WASHDC CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ CIA WASHDC HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE COMUSNAVCENT
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000039
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/17/2025
TAGS: PGOV MOPS ER
SUBJECT: THE ISAIAS REGIME'S SECURITY POSTURE
Classified By: Amb. Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000039
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/17/2025
TAGS: PGOV MOPS ER
SUBJECT: THE ISAIAS REGIME'S SECURITY POSTURE
Classified By: Amb. Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d)
1. (C) 7,000 PRESIDENTIAL GUARDS
--------------
Eritrea boasts one of the largest standing armies in Africa
and is among the most militarized societies in the world. To
protect himself and his regime from assassination, coup
d'etat, army mutiny, or a foreign commando strike, Isaias has
created three separate Presidential Guard units of about
2,000 troops each, according to a well-connected Eritrean
businessman.
-- These elite solders get extra pay, have modern equipment,
and receive specialized training. Most are currently
stationed in or near Asmara, including a sizeable group
lodged about 800 yards from the DCM's residence.
-- The three units are nominally led by Major General
Filipos, but in reality Isaias personally commands each one.
In addition, Presidential Guardsmen also serve as jailors for
the G-15 (senior Eritrean officials arrested in 2001).
-- Isaias' right-hand man is Colonel Tesfaldat Habteselassie,
who commands the 70-man presidential bodyguard detachment.
-- The source also reported that the head of Eritrea's Office
of National Security, General Abraha Kassa, suffers from a
bad heart and comes to his office irregularly.
2. (C) 11,000 TROOPS SENT TO ASSAB
--------------
In early February the Eritrean military sent 11,000 troops
from the Asmara area to Assab, according to a reliable Arab
contact, supposedly to deter any Ethiopian thrust to seize
the port of Assab "now that Eritrea is weakened by UN
sanctions." Other observers speculate the troop movement may
be related to the reported February 15 Afar rebel attack in
southeastern Eritrea in which fighters of the Red Sea Afar
Democratic Organization (RSADO) allegedly killed or wounded
37 Eritrean troops. (RSADO, thought to be supported by the
Ethiopian government, has previously issued seemingly
exaggerated claims of victories against Eritrean forces.)
The businessman cited above says even Presidential Guardsmen
have recently been heard in bars grousing about President
Isaias, that Isaias is "completely alone," and that ordinary
soldiers from the Red Sea littoral are restive due to reports
of starvation in their home areas.
McMullen
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/17/2025
TAGS: PGOV MOPS ER
SUBJECT: THE ISAIAS REGIME'S SECURITY POSTURE
Classified By: Amb. Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d)
1. (C) 7,000 PRESIDENTIAL GUARDS
--------------
Eritrea boasts one of the largest standing armies in Africa
and is among the most militarized societies in the world. To
protect himself and his regime from assassination, coup
d'etat, army mutiny, or a foreign commando strike, Isaias has
created three separate Presidential Guard units of about
2,000 troops each, according to a well-connected Eritrean
businessman.
-- These elite solders get extra pay, have modern equipment,
and receive specialized training. Most are currently
stationed in or near Asmara, including a sizeable group
lodged about 800 yards from the DCM's residence.
-- The three units are nominally led by Major General
Filipos, but in reality Isaias personally commands each one.
In addition, Presidential Guardsmen also serve as jailors for
the G-15 (senior Eritrean officials arrested in 2001).
-- Isaias' right-hand man is Colonel Tesfaldat Habteselassie,
who commands the 70-man presidential bodyguard detachment.
-- The source also reported that the head of Eritrea's Office
of National Security, General Abraha Kassa, suffers from a
bad heart and comes to his office irregularly.
2. (C) 11,000 TROOPS SENT TO ASSAB
--------------
In early February the Eritrean military sent 11,000 troops
from the Asmara area to Assab, according to a reliable Arab
contact, supposedly to deter any Ethiopian thrust to seize
the port of Assab "now that Eritrea is weakened by UN
sanctions." Other observers speculate the troop movement may
be related to the reported February 15 Afar rebel attack in
southeastern Eritrea in which fighters of the Red Sea Afar
Democratic Organization (RSADO) allegedly killed or wounded
37 Eritrean troops. (RSADO, thought to be supported by the
Ethiopian government, has previously issued seemingly
exaggerated claims of victories against Eritrean forces.)
The businessman cited above says even Presidential Guardsmen
have recently been heard in bars grousing about President
Isaias, that Isaias is "completely alone," and that ordinary
soldiers from the Red Sea littoral are restive due to reports
of starvation in their home areas.
McMullen