Ethiopia kills 111 rebels - state news agency

ADDIS ABABA, June 27 (Reuters) Ethiopian forces have killed 111 rebels and taken 107 others who crossed over from Eritrea in recent days, the state news agency said today.

Another 18 of the Ethiopian rebels were injured during a major military sweep in the remote north, Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) said, quoting the defence ministry.

Ministry officials could not immediately be reached, and there was no independent confirmation from the remote region of Ethiopia where various armed groups opposed to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi are said to be operating.

Addis Ababa has frequently accused its neighbour Eritrea of backing, arming and harbouring a variety of insurgents.

Asmara denies that, saying Ethiopia is inventing threats to justify oppression of its own people and belligerence towards Eritrea. The two Horn of Africa nations have long been feuding over their border and went to war between 1998-2000.

''Of the anti-peace group who crossed into Ethiopia at Quara, Armacheo and Metema in the north of the country from Eritrea recently, 111 have been decimated and 18 others were injured in a joint military action taken by the Ethiopian Defence Forces and the people of the region,'' ENA said in its report.

''Eighty six others were captured and 21 handed themselves to Ethiopian forces,'' it added.

It was unclear precisely when the operations took place, or which rebel groups were said to be involved.

REUTERS SHB RN1450