Forces of the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, TPLF, are engaging in armed hostilities against the federal government and Eritrean troops in parts of the restive Tigray region.
The Ongoing violence between the national army and forces loyal to the leaders of the northern Tigray region has prompted fears that Ethiopia is on the brink of a civil war.
Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed since the fighting started on 4 November, and over 50,000 refugees have fled into neighbouring Sudan after the Ethiopian prime minister declared a military offensive against the Tigray regional government (TPLF) when he accused them of an “attack on federal troops”.
It is believed that September’s election in Tigray, which the federal government had postponed nationwide because of coronavirus, is widely considered to be the cause of the recent rapid deterioration. Getachew Reda, a former communications minister who is a current advisor to the president of the TPLF, Debretsion Gebremichael has been reporting the fighting incidents in a series of posts on his Twitter handle.
According to him, the government continued to record heavy losses in terms of fighters and materials but they preferred to hide these incidents by controlling the media narrative.
But Getachew Reda’s report states otherwise.“As I write this, enemy forces are been routed in Zana, has already lost hundreds of soldiers in Adet and Tsimbla. The enemy has lost an airforce gunship in BietMara and the fighting continues in many fronts,” he tweeted.
Here’s a timeline of currently happenings at Tigray.
The wanton killing of civilians has become commonplace. In fact, it has been obvious that #abiy is a violence entrepreneur who considers the death of hundreds as mere statistic. It is heartbreaking to learn of the killing of civilians in the Oromia Region last night.Tragic.1/2
— Getachew K Reda (@reda_getachew) November 2, 2020
It's been four days since @AbiyAhmedAli waged open war on Tigray. As part of his promise to kill innocent children in Tigray, he has been sending a warplane almost everyday. We have downed one 2day. Tigray didnt wage war, it is defending itself. We will pay him in his coins.
— Getachew K Reda (@reda_getachew) November 8, 2020
While fighting is going on in three fronts fifty kms away, Isaias and Abiy are indiscriminately bombing #AbiyAdi. Obviously civilians are the targets.
— Getachew K Reda (@reda_getachew) December 4, 2020
Apparently, according to PP media grapevine, I am either dead or in Sudan or some such.People are extremely surprised to see me alive, and in Tigray. As I write this, enemy forces are being routed in Zana, had already lost hundreds of soldiers in Adet and Tsimbla. 2/2
— Getachew K Reda (@reda_getachew) December 22, 2020
Enemy has lost an airforce gunship in BietMara and the fight continues in many fronts. Despite efforts to paint their genocidal campaign as law enforcement operation, Isaias and Abiy continue to use thousands of Eritreans and Ethiopians as cannon fodders.Tigray shall prevail! 3/3
— Getachew K Reda (@reda_getachew) December 22, 2020
How long will this war remain hidden? Of all things #Abiy has done to us in this ongoing war, his blockage of communication is as devastating as the humanitarian catastrophe he has unleashed. He controls the media narrative and as such,whatever he says, goes. Or so it seems.1/1
— Getachew K Reda (@reda_getachew) December 22, 2020
Meanwhile, Banking services have resumed in the capital of Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region for the first time since conflict broke out there on November 4, state-run Fana TV reported on Monday, as the government seeks to restore normality a month after capturing the city.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government declared victory after seizing Mekelle from the rebellious northern Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) on November 28.
Abiy recently also visited Mekelle where he met with the leadership of the caretaker government. A graduation ceremony was also held in the main university.
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