Ethiopia's military has announced that it successfully repelled attacks launched by Tigrayan forces and their allies in several areas of the country's north. According to the army, hostilities began in the Amhara region, near the border with Tigray, where its soldiers inflicted heavy casualties and seized weapons from the attackers. The military's statement marks its first public comment on the recent outbreak of fighting.
The latest escalation in tensions between the federal government and Tigrayan leaders has raised fears of a renewed civil war in the country. The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which dominates the Tigray region, seized control of three airports from federal police on Wednesday. The TPLF has not publicly commented on the army's claims, and independent verification of the military's statements has not been possible.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that TPLF forces have launched attacks in the neighboring regions of Afar and Amhara. A humanitarian source in Afar reported that Tigrayan forces had launched heavy artillery attacks in an attempt to capture the town of Yallo, near the border with Tigray. The situation in the region remains volatile, with concerns growing about the potential for widespread conflict.
The TPLF vice-president, Amanuel Assefa, has been quoted as saying that the group is now in a situation of "full-blown war." The latest developments follow months of rising tensions between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government and Tigray authorities, who fought a devastating war from 2020 to 2022. That conflict resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction.
The previous war between the federal government and Tigrayan forces ended in an African Union-brokered peace deal, but both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement in recent months. The conflict drove the region to the brink of famine, with estimates suggesting that up to 600,000 people lost their lives. The situation remains fragile, with concerns about the humanitarian impact of renewed fighting.
In a significant development, the TPLF announced an alliance with six other armed groups on Sunday, with the aim of ousting the federal government. The seizure of airports by TPLF forces has already had an impact on civilian life, with Ethiopian Airlines canceling all flights to Tigray. Residents of Tigray's main city, Mekelle, have reported that local forces have taken control of the city's airport from national police.
Despite the fighting, residents of Mekelle have reported that the city remains relatively calm, with most fighting happening elsewhere. However, the economic situation in the city is dire, with people struggling to access cash and basic services. The situation is likely to deteriorate further if the conflict escalates, with concerns about the humanitarian impact on civilians.
Key points
- The Ethiopian army has repelled attacks from Tigrayan forces and their allies in the north.
- The TPLF has seized control of three airports from federal police, and there are unconfirmed reports of attacks in neighboring regions.
- The situation in Ethiopia's Tigray region remains volatile, with concerns growing about the potential for widespread conflict and humanitarian crisis.
