Ethiopian troops and their allies on Saturday launched air and ground strikes against Tigray rebels in the northern region of Amhara, humanitarian and rebel sources have revealed.
A spokesman for the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which has been locked in a brutal conflict with pro-government forces in northern Ethiopia for 11 months, told reporters there was a ‘massive move’ presently ongoing against the rebels.
Africa Daily News, New York recalls that barely five days ago, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was sworn in for a new term after a landslide election win, vowing to defend ‘Ethiopia’s honour’ despite mounting international criticism of the war and alarm about the desperate humanitarian crisis it has triggered.
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TPLF spokesman Getachew Reda claimed that there had been ‘mostly air, drone and artillery bombardment’ of rebels, and reported a major troop build-up, saying ‘tens of thousands are amassed’ in northern Amhara including the North Gondar and North Wollo zones.
‘We are confident we will thwart the offensive in all fronts and more, we will stand our ground until the siege is lifted’ he said.
Humanitarian sources told reporters that federal soldiers and Amhara regional troops had conducted air and ground offensives around North Wollo and other locations on Thursday and Friday.
Representatives from Amhara, as well as federal and military officials, did not respond to requests for comment and the reported military operations could not be independently confirmed by AFP.
Africa Daily News, New York recalls that the war erupted last November when Abiy — winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize — sent troops into Tigray to topple the TPLF, the regional ruling party and former national rulers, a move he said came in response to TPLF attacks on federal army camps.
Although government forces quickly took control of Tigray’s cities and towns, the TPLF recaptured most of the region including the capital Mekele by late June, and Abiy later declared a unilateral ceasefire.
The US has threatened sanctions against the warring parties if they fail to commit to a negotiated settlement to end a conflict that threatens to destabilise Africa’s second most populous nation.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
