Thread by @Erihistory

On Nov. 2, 1958 #Eritrean nationalists founded the underground Eritrean Liberation Movement (#ELM), Harakat El Tahrir El Eritrya in Arabic; Mahber Shewate, in Tigrinya in Port #Sudan to topple #Ethiopian rule in #Eritrea through a coup d’état. 1

#ELM mobilized both the #Moslem & #Christian communities. By Apr 1959 clandestine cells were established in almost all #Eritrean towns. ELM held its 1st congress in #Asmara in 1960 under the slogan "Muslims & Christians are brothers & their unity makes Eritrea one nation" 2

In 1965, despite #ELF's warning not to launch an armed struggle but to join the existing liberation front, #ELM sent its forces to the northern hills of #Eritrea. The ELF decided to resolve the disagreement by force & attacked ELM forces in May, 1995 at at Ela Tza’ada. 3

The Battle of Ela Tza'ada ended the #ELM as a viable political organization in #Eritrea. And, this Battle was considered as the first bloodshed (civil war) in the Eritrean Revolution for Independence.4

*1965

*May, 1965.