After three weeks of fighting, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered the army to move into the Tigray region’s capital of Mekelle for its “final phase,” sending off alarm bells for human rights groups.
The move comes shortly after Abiy offered a 72-hour surrender deadline to forces in the area. The prime minister warned civilians in the capital that there will be “no mercy” if they don’t “save themselves” and leave the area.
Final Phase of the Rule of Law Operations Commences pic.twitter.com/TAAyZxSe0U
— Abiy Ahmed Ali ?? (@AbiyAhmedAli) November 26, 2020
Ahmed said the deadline was issued for two objectives, including the enforcement of the rule of law and to protect civilians who were urged to distance themselves from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.
TPLF once ruled Ethiopia’s government, but it has now been upended by Abiy’s rule. Both governments view one another as illegal.
According to the United Nations, people are fleeing Mekelle, but several communications and transport links remain cut off to Tigray, so it is unclear how many people received the warnings to exit the territory.
“What is happening is beyond words, and it is heartbreaking to see a great country is collapsing,” said a message sent from a Mekelle resident on Wednesday seen by the Associated Press. The resident expressed they were not able to connect with loved ones elsewhere in the region.
The international community has urged for an immediate de-escalation of the conflict.
“The hostilities in Ethiopia are of major concern for the EU. Next to the casualties, the danger of a major humanitarian crisis is imminent. An immediate de-escalation is needed by all parties,” European Union commissioner for crisis management Janez Lenarcic tweeted Thursday.
The hostilities in #Ethiopia are of major concern for the #EU. Next to the casualties, the danger of a major humanitarian crisis is imminent.
‼️An immediate de-escalation is needed by all parties. #EPlenary
— Janez Lenarčič (@JanezLenarcic) November 26, 2020
Abiy, who won last year’s Nobel Peace Prize, has rejected international help. On Thursday, he said that a “humanitarian access route” would open under the management of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Peace, but he added no details.
Tigrayans have historically held strong power and influence in the country, controlling the government for the past 30 years, al Jazeera reports.
The Tigray region is one of 10 semi-autonomous federal states that are organized along ethnic lines in Ethiopia. Tigrayan people make up about 6% of the country’s population, which is more than 110 million.
