Ethiopian Conflicts expanded to more areas as Afar regional state president is claiming that the Eritrean forces are directly involved in the conflict controlling areas in the region. Airforce base reportedly attacked
Borkena Desk
TORONTO, Canada — More than a week since the latest escalation, the conflict in Northern Ethiopia is now expanding to areas in the Afar and Amhara regions.
The Ethiopian Defense Force carried out drone strikes in the Tigray region for several months now targeting what it claims to be military targets and TPLF forces. However, credible reports from the region revealed that schools and health centers were also targeted in the attack.
The TPLF large-scale response did not come until days after the formation of 7 armed groups,Alliance For Survival. On September 23, TPLF launched a major offensive in the parts of the Afar region adjacent to the Tigray region while seizing three airports in the region which prompted Ethiopian Airline’s Flight cancellations. TPLF detained Federal Police members who were posted at the airports and Ethiopian Airlines Staff , and their families.
ICRC Evacuation
The ICRC managed to evacuate 161 persons including Federal Police members, Ethiopian Airlines staff and their families following negotiation with authorities in Tigray. They were transported in ICRC labelled buses to Semera, seat of the Afar region of Ethiopia.
Intensified Drone Strikes and Artillery Shelling
Ethiopian Defense Force intensified drone strikes and artillery shelling targeting towns and cities in the Tigray region. Sources from Tigray confirmed that the Tigray Mass Media Agency (Tigrai Television) building in Mekelel was hit.
Artillery shelling targeting towns including in Mayhew claimed lives. Hundreds of civilians are reportedly wounded. MSF on Tuesday reported that 720 civilians wounded due to the escalated conflict are admitted to hospitals in Korem, Alamata, and Shire towns.
The Ethiopian Defense Force, which is supported by Tigray Peace Forces, a group that broke away from TPLF forces about a year ago, claims that they took control of Alamata town, according to an Aljazeera report. The town is said to have a military strategic significance and is located 120 kilometers south of Mekelle, seat of Tigray regional administration.
According to the source, TPLF forces seem to be advancing in the Afar region. The controlled Erebti town.
Eritrean troops in Afar region
Awol Arba, president of Afar regional state, on Tuesday claimed that Eritrean Troops are now in the Afar region with the aim to cut off Ethiopia’s Import and Export line via Djibouti.
He told Aljazeera reporter that Eritrean forces are directly involved in the conflict controlling about two-third of the region, positioning themselves to cut the road linking to Djibouti. No official response from the Eritrean government so far. However, private Eritrean news sources like Tesfa News are reporting that it is the Afar opposition Forces taking control towns one after another in the region.
Reported Attack on Ethiopian Airforce base in Debrezeit
Media outlets like Ethiopian Media Service (EMS), report that a drone attack targeted Ethiopian Airforce this week. At least two Ethiopian Airforce staff were reportedly killed. One of the victims, according to the source, is identified as Kassahun Lemma, a senior helicopter technician. It is unclear where the alleged drone strike was launched from.
The Ethiopian Airforce denied that there was an attack.
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