It is situated approximately 50 km north-west of Barentu.
The ecclesiastical consequence of this was that, after Eritrea achieved independence in May 1993, Pope John Paul II created two additional eparchies, with seats in Keren and Barentu.
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The Eparchy of Barentu has been created in 1995 and covers the northwest of the country.
The Siege of Barentu took place in 1978 in and around the town of Barentu in western Eritrea.
Meanwhile, Eritrea was called upon to re-open the Asmara to Barentu road to UNMEE traffic, and lift restrictions on the operations of humanitarian aid organisations.