Tewolde has fought in two wars for Eritrea and now fears another conflict could erupt with neighbouring Ethiopia.
He worries history will repeat itself and warns that any new fighting would again leave children orphaned and families shattered across the country.
Tewolde, who requested anonymity for safety, first served in the late-1990s border war and later fought in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.
His fears have grown as Eritrea and Ethiopia exchange accusations, reviving hostility that has long defined their tense relationship.
Gathering testimony from Eritrea remains an immense challenge, with interviews relayed through intermediaries to avoid government surveillance.
Eritrea, ruled by President Isaias Afwerki since 1993, ranks among the world’s most repressive states and forces civilians into open-ended military service.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for making peace with Eritrea, yet both countries later waged a devastating joint campaign in Tigray.
Eritrea has since accused Ethiopia of attempting to seize the port of Assab, while Ethiopia alleges Eritrea is preparing for renewed war.
Ethiopian officials warn that alleged “Eritrean aggression” is stretching their restraint and raising the risk of escalation.
Many Eritreans fear a new conflict, including Mehari, who fought in Tigray and says young people are fleeing to Ethiopia and Sudan to escape recruitment.
Another Eritrean, Luwan, now living abroad, says her family was instructed to ready their children for battle despite past losses.
Some mothers have yet to learn the fate of children sent to the Tigray front but worry they will again be asked to sacrifice more.
Eritrea’s government did not respond to requests for comment as concern spreads across the region.
Researcher Mohamed Kheir Omer says Eritreans feel trapped between two leaders driven by power and legacy rather than public welfare.
Luwan captures the despair many now share, saying only a miracle can halt the looming nightmare.