ERITREA EXTENDS NATIONAL SERVICE AS A DEFENSE STRATEGY.

Eritrea increases time for national services as a defense strategy against Ethiopia.

Eritrea national service extended due to illegal habitation by it neighboring Ethiopia. Ethiopia ignores international laws and question Eritrea’s defense structure.

The minister also replied to recent reports about how primarily Eritrean and Sudanese were being threatened with jail and deportation by the Israeli government’s to stop illegal migrants.

The forced national service coupled with a struggling economy is the reason for most youth leaving the country.

The country gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993, but fought a bloody and expensive war that ended in June 2000.

Citizens between the ages of 18 and 40 must complete 18 months of service to the state. The government reserves the right to extend length of service in periods of emergency. People who have left say this can stretch to a decade or more.

The population of the country is over  3.6 million , and more than 5,000 people leave the country every month.

The government is doing their best to better the country. Salaries will increase and national service will continue.

Asmara called on U.N to ask Ethiopia to stop illegal occupation of Eritrea.