The government of Ethiopia has said that the capital of the northern region of Tigray is now fully under the national military’s control. The announcement comes after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that the government was entering the final phase of the offensive against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
On Friday, RushHourDaily reported that the head of TPLF told the agency that they would continue to fight to defend their right to rule. Since the conflict began weeks ago, as many as 40,000 people have fled the area and hundreds have been killed in the clashes.
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Earlier this month, Abiy Ahmed accused the TPLF of attacking the headquarters of the army’s northern command in Mekelle and launched an operation to take back the control of the region. But on Sunday, Abiy took to Twitter and stated that the military has taken control of Tigray’s capital. He further added that with this the final phase of the offensive ends.
Abiy said that the Ethiopian military has released all the prisoners taken by TPLF and is in control o the airport and key regional offices in the area. With all the communications line cut, it is a little difficult for the local and international media news organizations to collect the on-ground situation.
In response, the TPLF did not directly respond to the situation on the ground in the region. While talking to RushHourDaily, TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael that this is a fight for their right to self-determination. Previously, in a statement, the militia group had asked the international community to condemn the government shelling and artillery. It accused the government forces of committing a massacre.
Moreover, the TPLF said that the Eritrean government was also involved in the offensive on the regional capital. Meanwhile, political experts have suggested that the TPLF would now be preparing for launching a guerrilla war on the Ethiopian army.
