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☆ Tigrayan refugee takes comfort in music after fleeing to Sudan
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-02 | by ( Seham Eloraby | Baz Ratner | ) www.reuters.com sentiment -1.00 time to read: +2 min

HAMDAYET, Sudan (Reuters) - Like thousands of others fleeing to Sudan from the conflict in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, 20-year-old Girum left his family and many of his possessions behind. Like Girum, most have been ferried across the Tekeze river and into Sudan at Hamdayet, clutching few if any belongings. Girum said his instrument, which has strings stretched across a simple rectangular wooden frame, was retrieved after his home had been looted. Other Tigrayan refugees have said they fled attacks by government forces and allied militia. In a speech to parliament on Monday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed urged those who fled into Sudan to return.

Persons: Girum, Um, ”, Abiy Ahmed Organizations: Reuters, Ethiopian Locations: HAMDAYET, Sudan, Ethiopia’s, Tigray, Ethiopia, Hamdayet, Um

☆ Ethiopia's PM shifts focus from Tigray war to 2021 vote
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-02 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +4 min

ADDIS ABABA/NAIROBI (Reuters) - Ethiopia’s prime minister met political parties on Wednesday to plan next year’s election and shift attention away from a month-long war in the north that was sliding into a messy guerrilla conflict. That defiance was one reason for the federal government’s military offensive against TPLF leaders from Nov. 4. He took Ethiopia’s top job after nearly three decades of a TPLF-led national government, which had become increasingly repressive, jailing opponents and banning opposition parties. There was no immediate comment from TPLF leaders. TPLF leaders say they are continuing to fight from surrounding mountainous areas.

Persons: Abiy, Africa’s, TPLF, Rashid Abdi, Jawar Mohammed, “, ”, Will Davison Organizations: ADDIS, Abiy, Crisis Locations: ADDIS ABABA, NAIROBI, Tigray, Sudan, Eritrea, ” Tigray, Mekelle, Abiy, Addis Ababa, Bole, Horn, Africa, Oromia, Ethiopia

☆ United Nations and Ethiopia reach aid pact for war-hit Tigray
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-02 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +4 min

ADDIS ABABA/NAIROBI (Reuters) - Ethiopia and the United Nations reached an agreement on Wednesday to channel desperately needed humanitarian aid to a northern region where a month of war has killed, wounded and uprooted large numbers of people. The pact, announced by U.N. officials, will allow aid workers access to government-controlled areas of Tigray, where federal troops have been battling the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and captured the regional capital. Aid agencies had sounded the alarm about a growing humanitarian crisis and been pressing for access, after hundreds of foreign workers were forced to evacuate. That defiance was one reason for the federal government’s military offensive against TPLF leaders. It accuses Abiy of “invading” Tigray, where federal troops captured the regional capital Mekelle at the weekend, sending TPLF leaders fleeing for the hills.

Persons: Cross, OCHA, Abiy Ahmed, Abiy, Africa’s, TPLF, Rashid Abdi Organizations: United Nations, U.N, International Committee, Federal Government, Reuters Locations: ADDIS ABABA, NAIROBI, Ethiopia, Tigray, Sudan, Mekelle, Tigray Region, Eritrea, ” Tigray, Abiy, Addis Ababa, Horn, Africa

☆ Ethiopia war may turn into guerrilla insurgency
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-01 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +4 min

Asked about ongoing fighting, TPLF head Debretsion Gebremichael said in a text: “Yes. Though outnumbered and expelled from their capital, the Tigrayans can exploit their mountainous terrain and long borders with Sudan and Eritrea. REFUGEESThe U.N. refugee agency appealed for access to 96,000 Eritrean refugees in Tigray, where food was thought to be running out. In a speech to parliament on Monday, Abiy urged the more than 45,000 Ethiopians who fled into Sudan to return. Refugees were saying that Ethiopian militia and soldiers were trying to impede them, he said.

Persons: Baz Ratner Fighting, Abiy, TPLF, Debretsion Gebremichael, Rashid Abdi, Babar Baloch, ”, Tigrayans Organizations: REUTERS, Federal, Reuters, . Government, United, Ethiopian Locations: ADDIS ABABA, NAIROBI, Tigray, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Mekelle, United Nations, Horn, Africa, Geneva, Asmara

☆ Ethiopia war may turn into guerrilla insurgency, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-01 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +5 min

Persons: Baz Ratner Fighting, Abiy, TPLF, Debretsion Gebremichael, Keria Ibrahim, Rashid Abdi, Babar Baloch, ”, Tigrayans Organizations: REUTERS, Federal, Reuters, of Federation, . Government, United, Ethiopian Locations: ADDIS ABABA, NAIROBI, Tigray, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Mekelle, United Nations, Horn, Africa, Geneva, Tigrayan, Asmara

☆ Pompeo voices 'grave concern' about ongoing Tigray hostilities
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-30 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com sentiment -0.84 time to read: 1 min

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to the media prior to meeting with Kuwait's Foreign Minister in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 24, 2020. Saul Loeb/Pool via REUTERSWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced grave concern about ongoing hostilities in the northerly Tigray region of Ethiopia during a telephone call with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the U.S. State Department said in a statement on Monday. “Secretary Pompeo took note of the Government of Ethiopia’s Nov. 28 announcement of the end of major military operations, but reiterated the United States’ grave concern regarding ongoing hostilities and the risks the conflict poses,” State Department spokesman Cale Brown said, saying that Pompeo called for a “complete end” to the fighting and constructive dialogue.

Persons: Mike Pompeo, Saul Loeb, Abiy Ahmed, Pompeo, Cale Brown Organizations: Kuwait's, Washington , D.C, REUTERS WASHINGTON, Ethiopian, U.S . State Department, Ethiopia’s, United Locations: Washington ,, Tigray, Ethiopia, United States, ”

☆ In Sudan camp, a Tigray farmer once displaced by famine now shelters from war
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-30 | by ( Seham Eloraby | Baz Ratner | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +3 min

UM RAKUBA CAMP, Sudan (Reuters) - Ethiopian farmer Berhan Halie came to Sudan 35 years ago to escape hunger. Ethiopian refugee Berhan Halie, 65, poses for a picture at the Um Rakuba refugee camp which houses refugees fleeing the fighting in the Tigray region, on the Sudan-Ethiopia border, in Sudan, November 29, 2020. Berhan and his family spent days walking to the border crossing with Sudan, among more than 45,000 who have fled from fighting between the Ethiopian government and rebellious Tigray forces. After crossing two weeks ago, he was brought by bus to the Um Rakuba camp in Sudan’s Qadarif state -- the same site he came to when fleeing the famine that had ravaged northern Ethiopia in 1985. Conditions at Um Rakuba are harsh.

Persons: Berhan Halie, Baz Ratner, “, ”, Berhan, Abiy Organizations: UM, Reuters, REUTERS, Ethiopian Locations: Sudan, Tigray, Ethiopia, Sudan’s Qadarif, Rayan, Mekelle

☆ Abiy says Ethiopia's federal forces have not killed civilians in Tigray
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-30 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com sentiment -0.99 time to read: 1 min

FILE PHOTO: Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed speaks during a media conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, October 29, 2018. Michel Euler/Pool via REUTERSADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told parliament on Monday that federal troops had not killed a single civilian in their nearly month-long offensive against rebellious local forces in the northerly Tigray region. Abiy also said that his army would not destroy Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, after capturing it at the weekend. There was no immediate response from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which had accused the government of targeting civilians in air strikes and ground fighting. Claims from both sides are difficult to verify since phone and internet links to Tigray have been largely down and access has been tightly controlled since the war began on Nov. 4.

Persons: Abiy Ahmed, Michel Euler, Abiy Organizations: Ethiopian, ADDIS ABABA, Reuters, Ethiopia’s Locations: Paris, France, ADDIS, Tigray

☆ War not over, says Ethiopia's Tigrayan forces leader
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-30 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com sentiment -1.00 time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO: Debretsion Gebremichael, Tigray Regional President in Mekele, Tigray Region, Ethiopia June 26, 2019. The war in Tigray region has killed hundreds and probably thousands, sent refugees into Sudan, enmeshed Eritrea, impacted a peacekeeping mission in Somalia, and heightened frictions between Ethiopia’s myriad ethnic groups. “I’m close to Mekelle in Tigray fighting the invaders,” he said. Debretsion added that his soldiers had captured some Eritreans fighting alongside the Ethiopian federal forces. Claims from all sides are difficult to verify since phone and internet links to Tigray region have been largely down and access tightly controlled since the war began on Nov. 4.

Persons: Debretsion Gebremichael, “ I’m, ”, Debretsion, Billene Seyoum, Abiy Ahmed Organizations: Tigray Regional, REUTERS, Tiksa, Ethiopian, Reuters, Federal Locations: Tigray, Mekele, Tigray Region, Ethiopia, Tiksa Negeri ADDIS ABABA, NAIROBI, Mekelle, Sudan, enmeshed Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan, Asmara

☆ Ethiopia's war is not over, says leader of Tigrayan forces
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-30 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +3 min

FILE PHOTO: Debretsion Gebremichael, Tigray Regional President in Mekele, Tigray Region, Ethiopia June 26, 2019. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri“I’m close to Mekelle in Tigray fighting the invaders,” Debretsion Gebremichael told Reuters in a text message, which the government dismissed as a deluded claim. The war in Tigray region has killed hundreds and probably thousands, sent refugees into Sudan, enmeshed Eritrea, impeded a peacekeeping mission in Somalia, and heightened frictions between Ethiopia’s myriad ethnic groups. Both sides have spoken of hundreds of dead in the Tigray war, and diplomats believe the toll is in the thousands. The battle-hardened TPLF helped to topple Ethiopia’s Marxist dictatorship in 1991 and knows how to exploit its mountainous terrain and borders with Sudan and Eritrea.

Persons: ” Debretsion Gebremichael, Abiy, Debretsion, Billene Seyoum, Debretsion’s, ”, TPLF, Ethiopia’s, al Organizations: Tigray Regional, REUTERS, Negeri, Negeri “ I’m, Reuters, Federal, U.S . State Department, Diplomats, African Union peacekeeping Locations: ADDIS ABABA, NAIROBI, Ethiopia, Mekelle, Tigray, Mekele, Tigray Region, Negeri “, Sudan, enmeshed Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan, Eritrea, Wukro, Asmara, al Qaeda

☆ Ethiopia's PM savours victory, Tigrayan leader says war unfinished
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-30 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +5 min

ADDIS ABABA/NAIROBI (Reuters) - Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed lauded his troops on Monday for ousting a rebellious northern movement, but the leader of Tigrayan forces said they were still resisting amid fears of a protracted guerrilla conflict. FILE PHOTO: Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed speaks during a media conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, October 29, 2018. Michel Euler/Pool via REUTERSThe nearly month-long war has killed hundreds and probably thousands of people, sent refugees into Sudan, enmeshed Eritrea, and stirred rivalries among Ethiopia’s myriad ethnic groups. The battle-hardened TPLF helped topple Ethiopia’s Marxist dictatorship in 1991 and knows how to exploit its mountains and borders with Sudan and Eritrea. The government blamed the killings on a Tigrayan youth group with the aid of local forces, but the TPLF denied any collusion.

Persons: Abiy Ahmed, Tigrayan, Michel Euler, ” Abiy, “, ”, Mekelle, Abiy, ’, Debretsion Gebremichael, “ I’m, Billene Seyoum, Redwan Hussein, TPLF, Ethiopia’s, Tigrayans, Mai Kadra Organizations: Ethiopia’s, Ethiopian, REUTERS, Federal, American, Reuters, Diplomats, Republican Guard, Cross Locations: ADDIS ABABA, NAIROBI, Paris, France, Sudan, enmeshed Eritrea, Mekelle, Tigray, South Sudan, Eritrea, Wukro, Ethiopia, Abiy, Mai

☆ Ethiopia's PM savours victory, Tigrayan leader says war not finished
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-30 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +6 min

The nearly month-long war has killed hundreds and probably thousands of people, sent refugees into Sudan, enmeshed Eritrea, and stirred rivalries among Ethiopia’s myriad ethnic groups. The United States expressed concern about continued fighting and called for a complete end to hostilities and for dialogue. “I’m close to Mekelle in Tigray fighting the invaders,” he told Reuters in a text message. The battle-hardened TPLF helped topple Ethiopia’s Marxist dictatorship in 1991 and knows how to exploit its mountains and borders with Sudan and Eritrea. The government blamed the killings on a Tigrayan youth group with the aid of local forces, but the TPLF denied any collusion.

Persons: Abiy Ahmed, Tigrayan, ” Abiy, “, ”, Mekelle, Abiy, ’, Debretsion Gebremichael, “ I’m, Billene Seyoum, Redwan Hussein, TPLF, Ethiopia’s, Tigrayans, Mai Kadra, Mike Pompeo, Pompeo, Antonio Guterres, General Organizations: Ethiopia’s, Federal, American, Washington, United Nations, Reuters, Diplomats, Republican Guard, Cross, State Department Locations: ADDIS ABABA, NAIROBI, Sudan, enmeshed Eritrea, Mekelle, Tigray, States, South Sudan, Eritrea, Wukro, Ethiopia, Abiy, Mai

☆ Leader of Ethiopia's Tigrayan forces says he is fighting near Mekelle
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-30 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com sentiment -1.00 time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO: Debretsion Gebremichael, Tigray Regional President, attends the funeral ceremony of Ethiopia's Army Chief of Staff Seare Mekonnen in Mekele, Tigray Region, Ethiopia June 26, 219. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri/File PhotoADDIS ABABA/NAIROBI (Reuters) - The leader of Ethiopia’s rebellious northern forces said on Monday he was still fighting close to the regional capital of Mekelle after it was captured by government troops. Debretsion Gebremichael, who heads the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), also told Reuters in a text message that some Eritrean soldiers fighting alongside the Ethiopian federal forces had been taken prisoner by his side. There was no immediate comment from the Eritrean government, though at the start of the more than three-week conflict it had denied involvement. Claims from all sides are difficult to verify since phone and internet links to Tigray region have been largely down and access tightly controlled since the war began on Nov. 4.

Persons: Staff Seare Mekonnen, ADDIS, Debretsion Gebremichael, Billene Seyoum, Abiy Ahmed, ” Organizations: Tigray Regional President, Ethiopia's Army, Staff, REUTERS, Tiksa, Reuters, Ethiopian Locations: Tigray, Mekele, Tigray Region, Ethiopia, ADDIS ABABA, NAIROBI, Mekelle

☆ Ethiopia's PM relishes victory, but Tigrayan leader says war not over
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-30 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +4 min

FILE PHOTO: Debretsion Gebremichael, Tigray Regional President, attends the funeral ceremony of Ethiopia's Army Chief of Staff Seare Mekonnen in Mekele, Tigray Region, Ethiopia June 26, 219. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri/File PhotoThe nearly month-long war has killed hundreds and probably thousands, sent refugees into Sudan, enmeshed Eritrea, affected a peacekeeping mission in Somalia, and deepened divisions between Ethiopia’s myriad ethnic groups. “I’m close to Mekelle in Tigray fighting the invaders,” Debretsion Gebremichael told Reuters in a text message. There was no comment from the Asmara government, though at the start of the war it denied involvement. Both sides have spoken of hundreds of dead in the Tigray war, and diplomats believe the toll is in the thousands.

Persons: Abiy Ahmed, Tigray’s, Staff Seare Mekonnen, ” Abiy, “, ”, Debretsion Gebremichael, “ I’m, ” Debretsion Gebremichael, Abiy, ’, Billene Seyoum, TPLF, Ethiopia’s, it’s, Will Davison, al Organizations: Ethiopia’s, Tigray Regional President, Ethiopia's Army, Staff, REUTERS, Tiksa, American, Reuters, Crisis, U.S . State Department, Diplomats, African Union peacekeeping Locations: ADDIS ABABA, NAIROBI, Tigray, Mekele, Tigray Region, Ethiopia, Sudan, enmeshed Eritrea, Somalia, Mekelle, South Sudan, Eritrea, Wukro, Asmara, al Qaeda

☆ Ethiopia's Abiy relishes victory, Tigrayan leader says war unfinished
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-30 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +5 min

ADDIS ABABA/NAIROBI (Reuters) - Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed lauded his troops on Monday for their victory over a rebellious northern movement, but the leader of Tigrayan forces said they were still resisting amid fears of a protracted guerrilla conflict. The nearly month-long war has killed hundreds and probably thousands of people, sent refugees into Sudan, enmeshed Eritrea, and stirred rivalries among Ethiopia’s myriad ethnic groups. Drones were used to watch the TPLF, but federal forces declined to use rockets in Tigray, Abiy said. “I’m close to Mekelle in Tigray fighting the invaders,” he told Reuters in a text message. The battle-hardened TPLF helped to topple Ethiopia’s Marxist dictatorship in 1991 and knows how to exploit its mountains and borders with Sudan and Eritrea.

Persons: Abiy Ahmed, Tigrayan, ” Abiy, “, ”, Mekelle, Abiy, Debretsion Gebremichael, “ I’m, Billene Seyoum, TPLF, Ethiopia’s, it’s, Will Davison, al, Mai Kadra Organizations: Ethiopia’s, Federal, American, Reuters, Diplomats, Crisis, African Union peacekeeping Locations: ADDIS ABABA, NAIROBI, Sudan, enmeshed Eritrea, Mekelle, Tigray, South Sudan, Eritrea, Wukro, Asmara, Ethiopia, al Qaeda, Somalia, Mai

☆ Six explosions in Eritrean capital of Asmara, says U.S. State Department
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-29 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com sentiment -0.99 time to read: +1 min

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Six explosions were reported in the Eritrean capital, Asmara, late on Saturday, the U.S. State Department said on Twitter although the cause and location were not clear. “At 10:13 p.m. on Nov 28 there were six explosions in Asmara,” the State Department said in the post on Sunday. On Saturday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that federal forces had taken control of Mekelle, Tigray’s capital, within hours of launching an offensive there. The Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a political party whose fight against the government began on Nov. 4, said it was withdrawing from Mekelle. The TPLF regards Eritrea, which has warm relations with Abiy, as an archenemy.

Persons: ”, Abiy Ahmed Organizations: ADDIS ABABA, Reuters, U.S . State Department, Twitter, State Department, ” Reuters, Ethiopian Locations: ADDIS, Asmara, ”, Eritrea, Tigray Region, Ethiopia, Mekelle

☆ Six explosions in Eritrean capital Asmara, says U.S. State Department
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-29 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +2 min

ADDIS ABABA/NAIROBI (Reuters) - Six explosions were reported in the Eritrean capital, Asmara, on Saturday night, the U.S. State Department said, although it was not immediately clear if they were related to the conflict in the neighbouring Tigray region of Ethiopia. “At 10:13 p.m. on Nov 28 there were six explosions in Asmara,” the State Department said in the post on Sunday. But it urged Americans to “remain situationally aware of the ongoing conflict in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia.” Tigrayan forces fighting Ethiopian soldiers have previously fired rockets at Eritrea. Reuters was not immediately able to reach the Eritrean government or Tigrayan forces for comment. On Saturday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that federal forces had taken control of Mekelle, Tigray’s capital, within hours of launching an offensive there.

Persons: ”, Abiy Ahmed, Abiy Organizations: U.S . State Department, State Department, Reuters, Ethiopian Locations: ADDIS ABABA, NAIROBI, Asmara, Tigray, Ethiopia, “, ”, Tigray Region, Eritrea, Mekelle

☆ Ethiopia says military operation in Tigray region is over, hunt for Tigray leaders begins
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-29 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +5 min

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed speaks during a media conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, October 29, 2018. However, TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael told Reuters in a text message on Saturday evening that TPLF forces would fight on, raising the prospect that the conflict could drag on. The flow of refugees and attacks by the TPLF on neighbouring Eritrea have also threatened to destabilize the wider Horn of Africa region. They add to the 117 warrants issued for senior military officers it says are connected to TPLF since the conflict broke out. EXPLOSIONS IN ERITREA’S CAPITALSix explosions were reported in the Eritrean capital, Asmara, on Saturday night, the U.S. State Department said, although it was not immediately clear if they were related to the Tigray conflict.

Persons: Abiy Ahmed, Michel Euler, Abiy, TPLF, ”, Debretsion Gebremichael, “, Debretsion, ” Debretsion, Mengistu Haile Mariam, Mengistu Organizations: Ethiopian, REUTERS, Reuters, Fana TV, Abiy, U.S . State Department, State Department Locations: ADDIS ABABA, NAIROBI, Tigray, Paris, France, Mekelle, Sudan, Eritrea, Africa, Asmara

☆ Tigray forces claim to have shot down Ethiopian plane, taken town
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-29 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +3 min

ADDIS ABABA/NAIROBI (Reuters) - Rebellious forces from Ethiopia’s northern region of Tigray said they had shot down a military plane and retaken a town from federal forces on Sunday, a day after the prime minister announced federal troops had taken over the regional capital and military operations were complete. There was no immediate comment from the government or the military on the claims made by Debretsion Gebremichael, leader of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in text messages to Reuters. Thousands of people are believed to have been killed and nearly 44,000 have fled to Sudan since the fighting began. In text messages on Sunday, he said that his forces had shot down an Ethiopian military plane and captured the pilot, and had also retaken the town of Axum. Also on Sunday, Ethiopian state TV (ETV) said on Sunday that 70 graves, some individual and some containing multiple bodies were found in the town of Humera in Tigray.

Persons: Debretsion Gebremichael, Abiy, TPLF, ”, Debretsion, Mengistu Haile Mariam Organizations: Ethiopian Locations: ADDIS ABABA, NAIROBI, Ethiopia’s, Tigray, Sudan, Mekelle, Axum, Humera, Eritrea

☆ Ethiopian forces will take Tigrayan capital in coming days, military says
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-28 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +4 min

ADDIS ABABA/NAIROBI (Reuters) - Ethiopian forces will take control of the Tigray region’s capital Mekelle in coming days, the military said late on Friday, a day after the Prime Minister announced the “final phase” of an offensive in the region. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri/File PhotoFederal forces seized control of Wikro, a town 50 km (30 miles) north of Mekelle and “will control Mekelle in a few days”, Lieutenant-General Hassan Ibrahim said in a statement. Reuters was not immediately able to reach the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) for comment, or to verify the statement. The Ethiopian military has been fighting rebellious local forces in the northern region of Tigray, which borders Eritrea and Sudan. The Tigrayan region saw those trials as discrimination.

Persons: Hassan Ibrahim, Abiy Ahmed, Tigrayan, Abiy, ”, Boultie Tadesse, “, Billene Organizations: Ethiopian, Amhara Special Force, Dansha Mechanized, Military, REUTERS, Tiksa, Federal, Reuters, U.S, Embassy, Defence Foreign Relations Locations: ADDIS ABABA, NAIROBI, Tigray, Mekelle, Danasha, Amhara, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Asmara, Sudan, Addis Ababa

☆ Ethiopian forces begin offensive on Tigray capital, say a diplomat and Tigrayan forces leader
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-28 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +5 min

ADDIS ABABA/NAIROBI (Reuters) - Ethiopian government forces began an offensive to capture the regional capital Mekelle in the rebellious northern Tigray region on Saturday, said a diplomat in direct contact with residents, and the leader of Tigrayan forces. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri/File PhotoDebretsion Gebremichael, leader of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), told Reuters in a text message Mekelle was under “heavy bombardment”. The Ethiopian military is using artillery in the assault, he said in a subsequent text message. MILITARY OFFENSIVEThe Ethiopian military has been fighting forces in the northern region of Tigray, which borders the nations of Eritrea and Sudan, since Nov. 4. The Tigrayan region saw those trials as discrimination.

Persons: Gebremichael, Mekelle, Billene, TPLF, Abiy, Tigrayan, Debretsion, ”, Boultie Tadesse, “ Organizations: Ethiopian, Amhara Special Force, Dansha Mechanized, Military, REUTERS, Tiksa, Reuters, Ethiopian National Defense Forces, U.S, Embassy, Defence Foreign Relations Locations: ADDIS ABABA, NAIROBI, Mekelle, Tigray, Danasha, Amhara, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Addis Ababa, Asmara

☆ Ethiopian military has taken 'full control' of Tigray capital, government says
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-28 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +2 min

ADDIS ABABA/NAIROBI (Reuters) - Ethiopian troops have taken “full control” of the Tigray region’s capital Mekelle, the government said on Saturday evening, a major development in a three-week-old war that is sending shockwaves through the Horn of Africa. He said police were searching for the leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), who have been fighting federal forces in the northern region since Nov. 4. The army chief of staff, Birhanu Jula, also announced that government forces had taken control of Mekelle, in a statement on the military’s official Facebook page. State television said that federal forces were in full control of the city by 7 p.m. Abiy accuses Tigrayan leaders of starting the war by attacking federal troops at a base in Tigray.

Persons: Abiy Ahmed, ”, Abiy, Birhanu Jula, Tigrayan Organizations: Ethiopian, ”, Federal, Authorities, Northern Command Locations: ADDIS ABABA, NAIROBI, Tigray, Mekelle, Horn of Africa, Sudan, Eritrea

☆ Ethiopian military operation in Tigray is complete, prime minister says
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-28 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com + 0.00 time to read: +6 min

ADDIS ABABA/NAIROBI (Reuters) - Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Saturday that military operations in the northern region of Tigray have been completed, shortly after he announced federal troops had seized full control of the regional capital Mekelle. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri/File Photo“I am pleased to share that we have completed and ceased the military operations in the Tigray region,” he said in a tweet. Federal troops had taken control of “the airport, public institutions, the regional administration office and other critical facilities,” Abiy said. State television said federal forces were in full control of the city by 7 p.m. Abiy accuses Tigrayan leaders of starting the war by attacking federal troops at a base in Tigray.

Persons: Abiy Ahmed, Abiy, ”, ” Abiy, Tigrayan, Billene Seyoum, Debretsion Gebremichael, Mekelle, Billene, TPLF, ” Debretsion, Filippo Grandi, Dominic Raab Organizations: Ethiopian, Mekelle, Amhara Special Force, Dansha Mechanized, Military, REUTERS, Tiksa, Federal, Authorities, Northern Command, Reuters, Ethiopian National Defense Forces, Eritrean, United Nations, U.S, Embassy Locations: ADDIS ABABA, NAIROBI, Tigray, Danasha, Amhara, Ethiopia, Mekelle, Horn of Africa, Sudan, Eritrea, Addis Ababa, Asmara, British, Tigrayans

☆ Ethiopia says its military now controls the Tigray capital
▼ + stars: | 2020-11-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com + 0.00 time to read: +5 min

Ethiopians gather to show their support to federal government forces fighting against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) at Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on November 17, 2020. Ethiopia's military has gained full control of the capital of the defiant Tigray region, the army announced Saturday after Tigray TV reported that the city of a half-million people was being "heavily bombarded" in the final push to arrest the region's leaders. "The United States is gravely concerned about the worsening situation in the Tigray region," the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Kelly Craft, tweeted after the reported bombardment began. As Ethiopian forces moved in, Maj. Gen. Hassan Ibrahim vowed to capture the city "on all fronts." The Tigray region has been almost entirely cut off from the outside world since Nov. 4, when Abiy announced a military offensive in response to a TPLF attack on a military base.

Persons: Birhanu Jula, Abiy Ahmed, Humanitarians, TPLF, Kelly Craft, Pope Francis, Abiy, Hassan Ibrahim, Antonio Guterres, Filippo Grandi, Grandi, Abiy's Organizations: Tigray TV, United Nations, Ethiopian, African, Ethiopian News Agency, International Committee, Cross, Umm, Associated Press, AP Locations: Tigray, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mekele, United States, U.S, Maj, of Africa, Sudan, Umm Rakouba

(CNN) Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) have taken control of Mekelle, the capital of the country's Tigray region, according to a tweet from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The city was under fierce bombardment earlier on Saturday, a humanitarian source on the ground and eyewitnesses who have fled the city told CNN. The government's military operations have now ceased in the region, he said in a second tweetFederal police will continue working to round up members of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The airport, public institutions, the regional administration office and other critical facilities are under control of the ENDF. The prime minister thanked the people of Tigray and emphasized that the next critical task is working to rebuild what has been destroyed.

Persons: Abiy Ahmed Organizations: CNN, Ethiopian National Defense Forces, Federal, Northern Command Locations: Tigray

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