NAIROBI, March 21 (Reuters) - Rebels from northern Ethiopia who claimed responsibility for abducting five Europeans this month say they will kidnap foreigners who venture into their territory, Eritrean state media reported on Wednesday.
A separatist group fighting for greater autonomy of the barren Afar region straddling Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti on Tuesday made its first direct claim for the kidnapping of five Europeans.
The chairman of the Afar Revolutionary Democratic Union Front (ARDUF), Mussa Ibrahim, said foreigners travelling to northern Ethiopia need permission from the group or else risked kidnap.
"Even now, it would take similar measures against any foreigner who ventures into the same area, Mr. Mussa asserted. In this regard, he warned foreigners not to do so without permission from the Front," Eritrea's Ministry of Information reported.
The five Europeans were released last week in the Eritrean capital after a 12-day ordeal, but there has been no word on the fate of eight Ethiopians who vanished while travelling with them.
