Borkena News Desk
TORONTO, Canada — In what appears to be a sign of testing the water incident before what many politicians from the region are describing as inevitable conflict, the Ethiopian Defense Force and the TPLF forces were involved in a skirmish near Kobo which is within the Amahra region.
According to DW Amharic which cited residents from the area, they clashed in the early hours of Saturday.
The fighting was in Chobi Ber, Ginbar Walka and Addis Kigne localities. The exchange of fire between the two forces lasted for about an hour, according to the source.
The road between Kobo and Alamata was temporarily closed but the source was unspecified as to who party imposed it. It appears it was impacted due to the exchange of fighting around Addis Kignet. It reopened for vehicles after 10 :00 a.m.
An eyewitness who spoke on condition of anonymity stated that “Bajaj [hree-wheeled vehicle] service was stopped in Kobo town too. However, residents from the town said it was due to a meeting in the town which was unspecified.
Residents from the area are cited as saying the hour-long battle started in Walka Mender locality. “There was provocation; thereafter they retreated. Here in Waja, the other one a little farther from Waja , and still another one up in Addis Kigne. The main fighting was in Walka mender,” Addisu Deyes, a resident, was cited as saying. Light group weapons like Dsk were used but no artillery was involved.
Calm restored after 11:30 local time according to the eyewitness.
It was not specified if there was casualty from the incident.
About a week ago, there was a report that the Ethiopian Defense Force carried out a drone strike near Merewa Alamta. The TPLF forces reportedly suffered casualties. But no official statement from the TPLF regarding the incident.
Earlier this month, the Ethiopian Defense Force launched a drone attack in Shererina, West Tigray region.
With no known ongoing negotiation to resolve their differences, the Abiy Ahmed led Federal government and the TPLF are increasingly closer to a full-fledged war. Unlike the 2020 conflict, this time the military alliance in the region has shifted. The Eritrean government and Fano force, actors that fought against the TPLF back then are now allying with the TPLF.
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