Field Marshal Berhanu Jula Says TPLF Armed With Anti-Aircraft, Tanks

Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Reporter 

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia– Field Marshal Berhanu Jula, Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian Defense Forces, stated that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) is armed with heavy weaponry .

The Field Marshal announced yesterday, July 21, 2025  that the TPLF is armed with heavy weapons and anti-aircraft systems. Field Marshal Berhanu elaborated that the TPLF possesses mechanized military equipment, ranging from tanks to artillery, and also has anti-aircraft weapons.

The Field Marshal further stated, during the annual celebration of the Central Command held in Jimma city, that the TPLF is unearthing heavy weapons it had buried. Field Marshal Berhanu specifically mentioned mechanized military equipment, confirming that the TPLF is armed with heavy weaponry. This statement comes after the government repeatedly asserted that the TPLF had disarmed all weapons except individual firearms after the Pretoria Agreement.

It’s notable that the federal government has repeatedly declared that the TPLF had completely surrendered its heavy weapons. The Field Marshal himself had also been heard repeatedly saying that the TPLF had handed over its heavy weapons.

However, following the current tension between the TPLF and the federal government, the Field Marshal is now saying that TPLF did not disarm its heavy weapons. He  urged the TPLF to return to peace in accordance with the Pretoria Agreement, stating, “You must surrender the tanks and artillery you have hidden.”

The Field Marshal stressed that “there is no region in Ethiopia, outside of Tigray, armed with tanks and artillery,” and that the TPLF must accept that Tigray is part of the federation. He further stated in his speech, “Tigray can only be armed with tanks and artillery when it secedes,” emphasizing that it should not possess mechanized weapons as long as it has not seceded from Ethiopia.

He added, “To secede, you don’t need force; there’s a procedure, a constitution; go that way,” indicating that Tigray has the option to secede. By saying, “Surrender the tanks and artillery, surrender the anti-aircraft systems as well,” he confirmed that the TPLF is armed with mechanized military equipment.

While the Field Marshal acknowledged that the TPLF had surrendered some heavy weapons, he stated, “You surrendered some in the past, and you also have some that you have hidden.” He affirmed that the TPLF is now unearthing the heavy weapons it allegedly hid, saying, “You are now bringing out what you hid.”

Field Marshal Berhanu also conveyed a message of advice to the TPLF leaders.  “Surrender the weapons you have hidden” he urged TPLF leaders to comply  with the Pretoria Agreement and called for them to return to peace.

Furthermore, the Field Marshal advised the TPLF to “cooperate for the return of displaced people” instead of using them as a political leverage. He cautioned the TPLF, saying, “Don’t use displaced people as leverage.”

The Field Marshal also gave cautionary advice to the TPLF, saying, “Don’t go out and boast in the media.” He then reminded them of the two-year bloody war, stating, “In the past, you kept pushing and pushing, and you gained nothing but loss.”

During his speech in Jimma, the Field Marshal was heard saying, “TPLF leaders, stop; you have been told to stop in parliament.” It is recalled that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed spoke about a potential conflict in Tigray approximately two weeks ago.

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