From the Gov't Spokesperson website. Follow link for more interviews with Eritrean POWs.

Name: Ahmed Abdu Rahman Mohammed Age: 23 Place of birth: Massawa Family: Not married. Father died when Ahmed was only 1 year old, mom alive. Has three sisters no brothers all live in Saudi Arabia. Unit: Corps 381, 2nd Div, 3rd brigade, 2nd battalion, 2nd Co, 1st platoon, 1st team. Position: Ordinance

"I was a sea-man. I used to commute between Jizan, Djibouti, Assab Massawa Aden etc. I joined the army in the 8th round Sawa. I was not in the regular army even. I evaded Sawa for a long time until the 8th round (1998)" "I was a regular soldier. I was not really healthy while at the front line. So I was placed at. ordinance without arms." "I came on the boat. While the containers (our boat brought to Massawa) were being unloaded, I went to a bar to dance and enjoy myself. Then Eritrean soldiers came at about mid-night and took us all from the dance hall which is called "Dance Mariam" 23 young men including myself were taken to Sawa that night. This happened in August 1998."

Who was your comander/leader?

His name, I don't know we just call him Wodi Zerai.

Who was your platoon leader?

His name is Goitom. He may have died in the battle of Shilalo which was really really awful for us. Most of our comrades died in Shilalo about ten days ago. People think Bademe was bad but Shilalo was worst.

How were you wounded?

I was shot by my team leader whose name is Asrat. We were fighting at the Mereb and the situation started to change in your favour. As I told you before I was not under arms. I had no weapon because I was with ordinance. But the team leader ordered me to provide magazines (bullets) to a brener. I obeyed and was doing just that when the brener was wounded. The team leader brought another brener and I was handing him the bullets when he suddenly run away. I don't know why these guys told us to keep on fighting because we were pounded with: the helicopters were giving us no rest, Mortars were pounding us, Doschkas too.

Therefore the brener abandoned his weapon and run. I too started to run. Then I got hit on my back and fell. I could not figure out what was happening. I expected to be evacuated. But nobody came to my rescue. I was confused. I asked a member of my team to call someone who could help me. His name is Yonas, who was also wounded on the leg. He said to me, "you were shot by your own team leader, Asrat". I saw him shooting you! What?! What is so terrible is that Asrat who shot me fled though he shot me for fleeing the battle line. I was left alone. I was shot at 8 a.m. in the morning. I was on the spot I fell the whole day, the whole of the night after that. I was very thirsty because I had lost a lot of blood and the place is hot too. At 11 a.m. the next day woyane found and rescued me.

Did you have a fight with Asrat before?

- I was in that team for only one month. I did not even know him that well. I was fighting for my country and I can't believe that my own team leader shot me. It was my first combat experience. I was not the first to flee in that battle everyone was running. But maybe they were being shot too. Yonas; however, was shot by your soldiers. He told me so. I was operated by your team at Gemahalo the doctor was surprised that I was still alive. As for myself I came to Eritrea in '98. I was living in the sea or Saudi most of the time. My Mom lives in Saudi too.

How did you join Sawa then if you were living in Saudi Arabia?

I came on the boat. While the containers (our boat brought to Massawa) were being unloaded, I went to a bar to dance and enjoy myself. Then Eritrean soldiers came at about mid-night and took us all from the dance hall which is called "Dance Mariam" 23 young men including myself were taken to Sawa that night. This happened in August 1998. We trained for 3 months only. Then I joined a team that was cutting trees grass etc. Two months ago I joined corps 381.

I am happy I am alive. But I want to join your army (god willing) to take revenge on those who almost killed me. Though I am not dead and am happy, I am ashamed that I can't even clean myself or go to the toilet by myself. I am a problem to everyone and I am angry an Eritrean did this to me.

What is your wish? Make a wish.

I wish to get better, See my family, Never ever go to Eritrea again