Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Friday repatriated 814 more Ethiopians from Eritrea, mainly from and around the Eritrean capital, Asmara.

The operation took place between the Eritrean town of Adi Quala and the Ethiopian border post of Rama through the Mereb River crossing, an ICRC statement said.

The returnees had expressed the wish to go back to Ethiopia during individual interviews conducted by ICRC delegates.

They were transferred to the border under the supervision of ICRC delegates based in Eritrea, assisted by Eritrean Red Cross personnel.

On crossing the border they were met by ICRC delegates based in Ethiopia and supported by staff of the Ethiopian Red Cross.

Earlier on 16 March the ICRC repatriated 1.222 Ethiopians from Eritrea, mostly family members from and around Asmara, and including 90 civilians that had previously been interned at a camp.