Ethiopia’s federal forces have begun what the government describes as the final phase of the offensive in the Tigray region, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced. This after an ultimatum to the Tigrean People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) to capitulate has expired.
Listen to our correspondent Richard Myhrenberg.
“The 72 hours that the criminal TPLF gang had to give up in a peaceful way are now over and our efforts to maintain law and order have entered its final phase,” tweeted Abiy Ahmed.
Communication to Tigray is cut off and access is tightly controlled, making it difficult to confirm the parties’ information about the fighting.
Government forces has in recent days stated that they surrounded the regional capital Mekele, with about half a million inhabitants, ahead of the planned final offensive.
The tone has been threatening from both sides and the UN, the EU and human rights organizations have warned of the risk of serious war crimes.
“During this closing phase, great care will be taken to protect innocent civilians from harm,” claims Abiy Ahmed, who also claims that thousands of TPLF soldiers have already capitulated.
“Great efforts will be made to ensure that the city of Mekele, built by the hard work of our people, is not seriously damaged,” he added.
The African Union has sent envoys to Addis Ababa in an attempt to put an end to the fighting. But Abiy Ahmed, who last year received the Nobel Peace Prize, has rejected offers of mediation between the government and the TPLF.
The Prime Minister describes the conflict as an internal matter and the military effort as part of restoring law and order in the rebellious region.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of people have been killed in three weeks of fighting in Tigray and about 42,000 people have fled across the border into Sudan.
Source: ICELAND NEWS