In the period following the opening of the Suez canal in 1869, when European powers scrambled for territory in Africa and tried to establish coaling stations for their ships, Italy invaded and occupied Eritrea.
I perioden efter åbningen af Suez-kanalen i 1869, da de europæiske magter under Kapløbet om Afrika forsøgte at etablere kulstationer for deres skibe, invaderede og besatte Italien Eritrea.