Renewed Hostilities Reported Between Ethiopian Government and Tigray Forces

Ethiopia faces the prospect of renewed large-scale conflict as the federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) exchange allegations of military aggression. The surge in hostilities follows months of mutual accusations regarding the implementation of the 2022 Pretoria Agreement, which had previously brought an end to one of the century's deadliest conflicts.

Getachew Reda, an adviser to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, stated that TPLF forces initiated an "all-out offensive" against government positions in the neighboring Afar and Amhara regions. Additionally, reports indicate that Tigrayan forces have seized control of federally administered airports within the Tigray region, prompting Ethiopian Airlines to suspend all flights to the area. Residents in Mekelle confirmed that local forces took control of the city's airport from national police on Wednesday.

Conversely, Tigrayan authorities have characterized their actions as a "defensive war" in response to recent drone strikes. Mayor Mogos Shiferaw of Alamata reported that a series of aerial attacks on Tuesday resulted in at least 14 civilian deaths and 22 injuries. The mayor alleged that federal forces targeted two secondary schools, though these claims remain unverified by independent sources, and the Ethiopian government has not issued a formal response to the reports of the strikes.

International concern is mounting, with the African Union Commission calling for an immediate de-escalation of violence. The United States has also weighed in, with the U.S. ambassador to Ethiopia criticizing the TPLF for launching an "unwinnable fight." Furthermore, the U.S. State Department condemned a separate drone strike that reportedly targeted a convoy of Catholic vehicles transporting humanitarian aid.

The current instability is compounded by the TPLF's recent announcement of an alliance with six other armed groups aimed at challenging the administration in Addis Ababa. As both sides accuse one another of violating international humanitarian laws and failing to uphold the peace process, the region faces a precarious future.

Source: BBC News