Verbal artillery booms as Eritrea’s battlefield losses mount.

It is understandable that fear and anxiety could make one write things that later bound to be regretted. But the Eritrean cyberfighters have been outdoing themselves lately with the colorful, frothy, insults they are hurling at Ethiopia.

Following is a small sample. Also included is Alex Last reprising his "five brigades and forty kilometers" report from 1999 one day before Eritrea lost Badime.

It should be remembered that these are among the most prominent and prolific Eritrean writers. They are not teenage trash-talkers. They are well respected in the Eritrean community.

"the verminous dogs… will be evaporated" - Tseggai Isaac, May 17, 2000

"the horde has moved from its feeding and breeding grounds to its slaughter ground" – Mussie Msghina May 17, 2000

"Eritrea says Barentu is secure" - VOA/AFP reporter Carol Pineau, May 16, 2000 (quoting Eritrean government sources one day before Barentu was captured)

"The roaches have checked in." - Menghis Samuel, May 16, 2000

"Feelings in Asmara is great! The news from the ground says, now the engagement turned to our style. There is no point on disseminating unconfirmed news in Dehai, but indications are really great." - Menghis Samuel, May 16, 2000

"Eritrea said its soldiers had also surrounded a huge column of Ethiopian troops who were now at its mercy." - Alex Last, May 15, 2000

"The Ethiopians have not been able to advance one inch" – Eritrean spokesperson Yemane Gebremeskel, May 13, 2000 (one day after Ethiopian forces broke the Eritrean lines)