March 1988: The Demise of the Ethiopian Nadew Command

By Sharron Yemane

The Battle of Afabet – EPLF Operation to Destroy Nadew Command

In the long and determined struggle of the Eritrean people for freedom, March 1988 stands as one of the most decisive and historic moments. During this month, the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) launched a powerful military campaign that would change the course of the war. Known as the Operation to Destroy Nadew Command, the offensive culminated in the Battle of Afabet, one of the most significant victories in the history of the Eritrean armed struggle. The enemy force was cleared from the doorsteps of Nakfa all the way to Keren.

On the 38th anniversary of the Eritrean liberation struggle, the forces of the EPLF achieved what many had once thought impossible: the destruction of the Ethiopian military’s formidable Nadew Command. This victory not only transformed the military balance of the war but also demonstrated to the world the determination, discipline, and strategic brilliance of the Eritrean fighters.

The Background: A Decade of Stalemate on the Nakfa Front

For nearly ten years, the frontlines around Nakfa had been the focal point of intense confrontation between Eritrean liberation forces and the Ethiopian military regime known as the Derg. The Derg regime had deployed one of its strongest formations in the region the Nadew Command. The word Nadew in Amharic means “demolition force.” The name reflected the regime’s confidence that this heavily armed unit would ultimately demolish the Eritrean resistance and crush the liberation movement once and for all.

The Nadew Command was among the best equipped formations in the Ethiopian army. It possessed modern Soviet – supplied tanks, heavy artillery, armored vehicles, and advanced weaponry. Thousands of soldiers were stationed in fortified positions across the Nakfa front. Deep trench systems, reinforced bunkers, and extensive defensive lines were constructed to protect the command from attacks.

Despite its impressive arsenal, the Nadew Command spent nearly a decade entrenched in these defensive positions. The EPLF, led by disciplined guerrilla fighters, successfully resisted repeated offensives while maintaining control of strategic areas. During this period, the liberation movement steadily strengthened its organization, logistics, and military strategy.

The Strategic Shift: From Defense to Offensive

For many years, the EPLF had fought largely from defensive positions. The harsh mountainous terrain around Nakfa provided natural protection, allowing the Eritrean forces to hold their ground against larger Ethiopian offensives. But by the mid – 1980s, the leadership of the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front recognized that the time had come for a major strategic shift.

Instead of simply resisting attacks, the EPLF planned a decisive offensive designed to break the Ethiopian military presence in northern Eritrea. The target was clear: the powerful Nadew Command. The goal was not merely to weaken the Ethiopian forces but to destroy the command structure entirely, capture its military hardware, and shatter the regime’s confidence in its ability to control Eritrea. Careful planning, intelligence gathering, and coordination were undertaken for months before the operation began.

The Battle of Afabet

The offensive began in March 1988 and quickly developed into what became known as the Battle of Afabet. The town of Afabet, located south of Nakfa, served as the logistical and command center of the Ethiopian Nadew Command, making it one of the most strategic positions on the northern front. Control of Afabet effectively meant control of the entire operational theater in the region.

At the time, Ethiopian forces on this front numbered over 22,000 troops. Between March 17 and 19, 1988, the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) launched a coordinated three-pronged offensive, striking Ethiopian supply routes, communication lines, and defensive positions simultaneously. Within 48 hours, Ethiopian defenses collapsed as EPLF units advanced rapidly from the Nakfa front through Afabet and onward to Meshalit, not far from Keren, where retreating remnants of the Ethiopian forces were ambushed and decisively engaged by EPLF units.

A key element of the battle was the isolation and encirclement of Ethiopian formations. EPLF forces cut off reinforcements and surrounded large elements of the Nadew Command, preventing any organized withdrawal. Heavy fighting erupted across the region as armored units clashed with anti-tank teams and artillery positions were overrun.

As the situation deteriorated, Ethiopian commanders attempted to retreat and reorganize their forces. However, EPLF units struck the first retreating tank at Ashrum Pass, north of Afabet, effectively sealing the escape route and trapping the withdrawing columns. From that point forward, neither soldiers nor equipment could break through the encirclement. In a desperate effort to prevent their arsenal from falling into EPLF hands, Ethiopian commanders even ordered their own air force to bomb their military equipment. Despite these efforts, large quantities of weapons and vehicles were captured intact.

The defeat was devastating. Of the roughly 22,000 Ethiopian troops, about 18,000 were killed, wounded, or taken prisoner, including three Soviet military advisers. EPLF forces captured 50 tanks, about 100 military vehicles, 60 artillery pieces, 20 anti-aircraft guns, and tens of thousands of small arms. Within two days, the Nadew Command—once considered the Derg’s most formidable force in Eritrea—was completely destroyed, marking one of the most decisive victories of the Eritrean liberation struggle.

A Turning Point in the Eritrean Struggle

The victory at Afabet marked a historic turning point in the Eritrean war of independence. For the first time, the Ethiopian military suffered a defeat of such magnitude in Eritrea. Thousands of soldiers were killed, captured, or forced to retreat. Massive quantities of military hardware including tanks, artillery pieces, trucks, and ammunition were captured by the EPLF.

The myth of the Nadew Command’s invincibility was shattered. More importantly, the victory demonstrated the growing strength, discipline, and strategic sophistication of the Eritrean liberation forces.

The successful operation proved that the EPLF had evolved from a guerrilla movement into a highly capable conventional fighting force capable of defeating one of Africa’s largest armies. The psychological impact of the victory was enormous. It boosted the morale of Eritrean fighters and civilians while weakening the confidence of the Ethiopian military establishment.

The Road Toward Independence

The destruction of the Nadew Command opened the way for further EPLF advances across Eritrea. Following the victory at Afabet, Ethiopian defensive positions began to unravel rapidly. Government forces were forced to abandon Tessenei, Barentu, and Agordat, and Ethiopian control over what is today the Gash Barka region collapsed as remaining troops withdrew and concentrated their defenses in Keren. From that point onward, the balance of power shifted steadily in favor of the Eritrean liberation movement.

In the years that followed, the EPLF continued to expand its control, capturing additional strategic towns and military positions across the country. The port city of Massawa was liberated February of 1990. The momentum of the liberation struggle culminated in May 1991, when Eritrean forces entered and liberated Asmara, bringing an end to three decades of occupation. Two years later, in 1993, the Eritrean people voted overwhelmingly for independence in a United Nations–supervised referendum, leading to the formal establishment of the State of Eritrea.

Remembering the Sacrifice

The victory at Afabet was not achieved without sacrifice. Thousands of Eritrean fighters gave their lives during the long struggle for freedom. Their courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment made the impossible possible.

Today, the events of March 1988 are remembered as a symbol of determination and national unity a moment when the Eritrean people proved that perseverance and sacrifice could overcome even the most powerful adversaries. The destruction of the Nadew Command stands as one of the most remarkable military achievements of the Eritrean liberation struggle. It remains a reminder of the bravery of those who fought, the resilience of a nation seeking freedom, and the enduring spirit of the Eritrean people.

Eternal glory to our Martyrs!
Their sacrifice paved the road to freedom, and their legacy lives on in the independent nation of Eritrea.