Ethiopia, Eritrea forces launch new offensive in Tigray: TPLF

Ethiopian and Eritrean government forces have launched an attack in Ethiopia’s northern region of Tigray, targeting rebel forces.

Getachew Reda, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) spokesperson, said on Thursday that both nations’ forces had attacked rebels in Adayabo in the north of the region.

A humanitarian worker in Shire said drivers coming from the area reported cross-border shelling on Wednesday.

The conflict resumed last week after a five-month lull, with clashes on the ground and air raids over Tigray dashing hopes of peacefully resolving the nearly two-year war.

Fighting had been concentrated around the southeastern border of Tigray, with the rebels pushing into the neighbouring Amhara and Afar regions, sending residents fleeing.

But Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government on Wednesday accused the TPLF of launching “an invasion in the direction of Wag, Wolqait and our border areas with Sudan [Amhara region]”, west of the site of the most recent clashes.

Getachew in turn alleged the government and its neighbour Eritrea – which backed federal forces during the war’s early phase – were responsible for opening a new front.

“The Abiy regime, along with the Asmara regime, did launch [an] offensive in these fronts. We are defending our positions,” he said.

Agencies