Remembering February 1990

Massawa

Whenever I think of ‘Operation Fenkil’, the first person who comes to my mind is my classmate Mokonen Yhdego. He is tall with dark complexions and usually quiet and very intelligent. Mekonen and I usually talked about news on the EPLF radio ‘Dimtsi Hafash’ and I heard the good news from this childhood friend of mine. The news that brought happiness I will never forget. It felt like the news of freedom and liberation. Then I knew the end of the barbaric foreign occupation forces in Eritrea was very near.

I was in my mid teens then and Thursday February 8th, 1990 was like any other day for me and my school friends. Our walk to school that morning was, as usual full of banter and laughter. Little did we know that, the day was going to be engraved in the history books and that Eritrea was announcing her absolute existence to the world. Asmarinos were going about their business and students with their brown, green, cream, blue coloured uniforms were filling the streets of Asmara, but many of us did not realize what was happening a few kilometers away.

Things started to look different once we were in classroom. The unusual upbeat behavior and happy faces of some students gave away the excitement in the air. My classmate Mokonen who is usually quiet was unusually chatty. As soon as we walked into the class room, students gathered in groups and were whispering to each other.

When the world least expected it, the courageous Eritrean freedom fighters broke the spine of the Ethiopian occupation forces. Envisaging 21 years ahead in 1990 was not in everyone’s mind but, every Eritrean had different visions and dreams. The freedom fighters who were in the thick of the bitter war were only envisaging the next task of liberating the pearl of the Red Sea-Massawa. Neither Eritreans nor the world did expect the lightening speed of EPLF. The Ethiopian colonizers were waiting for an attack around the Keren front, but to theirs and to the surprise of the world, on Thursday 8th of February 1990, Eritrean People’s Liberation Front began an offensive and cut the critical supply route between Asmara and Massawa. This lightening attack was indeed a big loss to Ethiopians, but an announcement to the world. The end of colonialism and beginning of free Eritrea became a reality.

Still the memory of 1977 was in the minds of many Eritreans and almost everyone took the good news with skepticism. What if Ethiopians use napalm bomb again? What about the difficult climate and intolerable heat? Many questions were arising. Having liberated half of Massawa in 1977, Eritrea lost so many golden Eritreans as they were engulfed by the enemy’s napalm bombs, therefore these doubts were expected and also the world never thought the strong Ethiopian navy that was armed to the teeth by the Russians would be dismantled by tiny boats of EPLF navy. With a very little naval experience and by modifying very few fishing boats then turning them to war boats, EPLF completely defeated the Ethiopian navy that had more than 30 years of experience. Out of everything Ethiopians never expected the coordinated and lightening offensive from the sea. Eritrean freedom fighters with no hesitation gave their sacred lives so that colonialism will never come back in Eritrea. Perhaps telling this miraculous tale would sound like an action movie.

Radio Dimitsi Hafash kept on transmitting the miracles and by the following day the EPLF fighters were in the suburbs of Massawa. Asmara then became chaotic. Chaotic because the lightening attack stunned Ethiopians and was sending this miraculous shiver inside the spine of Eritreans. Stocking up food was the prime target of many Asmarinos. The colonial forces were busy building trenches in front of their ‘governmental & military buildings’. Transportation was halted, cars became redundant, electricity was restricted to only 4 hours a day and Asmara turned to a military zone as Ethiopian soldiers were stationed at every corner. Fear was visible in their eyes. After all they have lost the war and were about to be chased away once and for all.

On the third day of the offensive, Saturday 10th February, 1990, EPLF captured the Ethiopian naval base near the city and most of Massawa was under the hands of the owners. Some portion of the city and the islands were left to be cleared. For me the freedom of Eritrea was announced on that day. And it was announced when no one expected it. The world was admiring the intelligence and courage of Eritreans and media outlets recognized EPLF as “the best guerilla fighters the world has ever seen.” The courage and determination of the freedom fighters in defeating the brutal and well equipped colonial forces was simply unique. The once dismissive international community believed in Eritrea. History writers sharpened their pencils.

Those who gave their ultimate gift for freedom had no fear in passing through the narrow bridge of ‘Segalet’ that was surrounded by sea on both sides. Crossing that bridge was, simply martyring one’s life to fully liberate Massawa. But the heroic fighters did not hesitate for one second in volunteering to sacrifice their lives. When the enemy lost Massawa, it continued aerial bombardment of the city with napalm and cluster bombs. The targets were not EPLF bases, but civilian population. Ethiopian warplanes carried out bombardments up to nine times a day. The documentary film titled ‘Kibtset’ tells the horrific stories of the bombardments.

During that bitter hardship Eritrean fighters passed on leaving us with an opportunity of owning our future destiny. One thing we owe to them is to everyday renew our promise of nurturing our identity and values. Let’s respect our culture, languages and our unity. Celebrating 21st anniversary of the Fenkil Operation is a reminder to every Eritrean inside and in Diaspora that, we ought to always remember how fortunate we are to be able to be given this opportunity that is envied by many countries in Africa and the world. Eritrea is standing on a very strong foundation while many nations are wobbling and nearly falling as they lack stable foundations. Freedom was announced 21 years ago, but the struggle changed it’s direction. Eritrea became free physically, but mental freedom was something that had to be achieved. It is with this in mind that, the older generation has a big responsibility in molding the present generation and pass on a very stable foundation. What was sow 60 years ago is being reaped now.

Continuation of this sacred mission is a responsibility of every single Eritrean and contributing every little help will make a mountainous positive difference.

God/Allah bless the Eritrean Martyrs.

More wisdom to the Eritrean Leadership.

Samson Negassi, samson_negassi@yahoo.co.uk