By Borkena News Desk
TORONTO, Canada — In what appears to be the latest sign of an escalating conflict between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Abiy Ahmed-led federal government, two drone strikes hit Mekelle, the seat of the Tigray regional state in northern Ethiopia, on Thursday.
Abraha Hagos, communication head of the TPLF-led administration, told DW Amharic that 13 people, apparently civilians, sustained serious and light injuries from the strike. It remains unspecified whether the condition of those with serious injuries is life-threatening.
The victims are receiving medical attention at Ayder Hospital.
The strike took place around 11:00 a.m. local time and hit residential areas, Abraha Hagos stated, adding that targeted residential homes sustained serious damage.
The region’s communication office released an official statement hours after the strike, asserting that the federal government was responsible for the attacks, according to a BBC Amharic report.
The federal government and the Ethiopian Defense Force neither denied nor confirmed the attacks.
According to sources, the strike targeted two locations. Other sources with links to the region, such as Zara Media, reported that the drone strike targeted teachers’ residential areas and claimed that the Ethiopian Defense Force carried out airstrikes outside Mekelle, though they did not specify the exact locations or report whether those strikes caused damage.
This marks the third time a drone strike has occurred in the region in less than a month. Before Mekelle, strikes hit Sheraro and the Raya area, which the communication head confirmed.
The Ethiopian government has accused TPLF forces of allying with Eritrea to attack Ethiopia.
The Defense Chief of Staff and Ethiopian government officials have referenced Tsimdo/Tsemdo, stating that forces are preparing for war against the defense forces.
While denying relations with Eritrea, Abraha Hagos admitted that TPLF forces are forming alliances with local armed groups.
Recent disclosures from Fano forces appear to confirm that a military coalition is forming against the ruling Prosperity Party government.
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