The T-54 and T-55 MBT has got along service history in the East African nation of Eritrea. Even in the early 2020s, Eritrea still operates the type. However due to the nature of the nation in question. The exact details how many T-55 tanks have been used or currently operated today by Eritrea remains unknown to the wider world. This also included the total of vehicles lost during both the Eritrean War Of Independence & Eritrean-Ethiopian Border War.
Eritrea would acquire its first T-55 tanks during the 30 Year long Eritrean Independence War (1961-1991), against Ethiopian Rule. Both the Eritrean Independence War and interwoven Ethiopian Civil War came to an end in May of 1991. Eritrea became an independent nation in 1993. However, the peace between Eritrea and its former allies in the new Ethiopian Government would not last long.
Relations between Eritrea & Ethiopia began to sour by the year 1997. Starting with a series of trade disputes. Ranging from currency issues to Eritrean port costs on Ethiopian goods, To make matters worse for both impoverished nations, the international border between each nation had never been clearly defined.
One such area was the small border town of Badme, of little importance. The Eritrean government claimed the small Ethiopian border town in the Tigray Region. Was Eritrean territory and was once apart of the former Italian colony of Eritrea. Which historically Badme was never a part of Eritrea, but in fact Ethiopia.
Minus attempts to find a peaceful solution to the crisis. Tensions began to escalated in the Badme Region into violent clashes. Between March 6th to 8th of 1998 a series of armed clashed occurred between Local Ethiopian Police and Eritrean Soldiers occurred in the Badme region. Resulting in Eritrea launching a full-scale invasion of the disputed area on March 12th 1998, starting the two yearlong Eritrean- Ethiopian Border war. That became characterized by both sides using soviet military equipment and trench warfare.
Initially Eritrean Forces were successful in capturing territory. However, by June of 1998 the Ethiopian military through a series of counter offensives ,was able to established a frontline. While both sides began to fortify their positions, with trenches and other fortifications. Such as tanks stationed in a dug in positions.
The period of major ground offensives by each side ceased for the rest of 1998. Due to the Rainy season that normally occurs in June to September, in the region. And by the joint US-Rwandan peace talks between the waring nations. During the ceasefire both Nations used the time to rearm and prepared for when the fighting resumed in early 1999.
Ethiopia with its much larger army and Air force would launch a major offensive, in early 1999. On the 23rd of February, Ethiopia launched a major offensive codenamed Operation Sunset in the Badme area. The assault was a success for the Ethiopian forces. Which resulted in the occupying Eritrean forces to abandoned their heavily fortified positions and weapons. The Eritrean forces retreated north the Mereb River. While the Ethiopians continued to advance and, in the process, recovered its control over the Badme region.
The next major battle would occur on the Tsorona front. Located around the Eritrean border town of Tsorona. On March 14th 1999, after aerial and artillery bombardment of the heavily fortified Eritrean position. The Ethiopians launched Operation Westwind. A frontal armoured and infantry assault on the Eritrean trenches.
The battle of Tsorona would rage for four days. With continual wave attacks on the Eritrean trenches and dug in tank positions, by the Ethiopians. The Eritrean forces were able to withstand the constant assault and the battle would end in stalemate. Halting any further Ethiopian offensives.
This battle would see Ethiopian T-55 and T-62 tanks advancing alongside their infantry. Against the dug in Eritrean T-55 tanks and infantry trenches. However, it remains unclear on the how many tanks were lost in during this battle. And how each Ethiopian Tank was lost during this assault. From either Eritrean land mines, anti-tank weapons, or direct hits from Eritrean T-55 tank fire remains unknown.
Major fighting on the ground would again stop with start of the Rainy season, and another round of peace talks. On May 23rd of 2000, Ethiopia would launch a series of successful offensives. The Ethiopian offensives resulted in the Eritrean positions being overran. The Ethiopians advanced across the border 20km into Eritrean territory. Resulting in the Ethiopian military occupied third of Eritrean territory along the border.
In June of 2000, the Eritrean government accepted a peace agreement. And a temporary 25km wide United Nations buffer zone was established along the border. A formal peace agreement was sign between both the Ethiopian and Eritrean governments, in September of 2018. And as of early 2022 the peace between each nation remains.