Eritrea's mass mobilisation amid Ethiopia civil war (BBC)
Eritrea has been criticised for its compulsory and decades-long military service (file photo)
Eritrea is mobilising military reservists to bolster the army, which has been aiding neighbouring Ethiopia in its fight against rebel forces.
Security forces in many areas have been stopping people to check if they are exempt from military conscription.
Groups of men were crying as they bid farewell to relatives, witnesses say.
Many in the capital, Asmara, were given notice on Thursday and moved to the border with Ethiopia's Tigray region, within hours, sources told the BBC.
Reservists up to the age of 55 have been called up, they said.
Eritrea has compulsory, decades-long military service, which has been widely criticised by human-rights groups, but analysts say the latest mobilisation efforts are linked to the civil war in northern Ethiopia - a conflict that recently flared up again after five months of relative peace.
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Witnesses told BBC News Tigrinya that mobilisation notices were distributed on Thursday in the capital, the second-largest city, Keren, the western town of Tessenai and other areas.
They called on reservists to report to their respective head offices, while also advising that they should carry their own supplies, including blankets and water containers.
Mothers, children and wives were crying as they bid farewell to their sons, fathers, brothers and husbands, sources told the BBC.
Those who do not heed the call-up have been warned of severe consequences, but some are reportedly ignoring it.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-62927781
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