In brief
In three days of intense conflict, Ethiopian federal forces seized the town of Alamata and have advanced northward, sparking a surge in casualties that has reached 52 civilians. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front says the offensive is a response to a breach of the 2022 peace deal, while the government insists the Tigrayan fighters began the attack. The fighting has spilled into neighbouring regions, with tourists trapped in Lalibela and essential services such as banking, internet and electricity cut in Tigray. Medical aid groups report over 700 wounded patients and civilians, including children and mothers, falling victim to artillery and air strikes. Amid the chaos, Eritrea could become involved, adding a new dimension to the conflict.
In the last three days, government forces have seized the northern town of Alamata and are moving toward the regional capital Mekelle, killing at least 52 civilians, hospital staff told the BBC.
The clash began after months of tension between the national government and the Tigrayan party, each blaming the other for violating a 2022 peace deal that ended a two‑year civil war. Government troops claimed control of Alamata, pushing north, while the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) insists the offensive was a response to drone strikes and a federal offensive.
Alongside the fighting, the airport in Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was shut to commercial flights, stranding 53 tourists. British and Irish travelers reported intense artillery fire near the town, and Israeli tourists were moved by helicopter amid escalating danger. A larger military presence has been noticed in the area and some troops have started leaving the town towards the north.
Telecommunications in the region have been cut, and banking services suspended, leaving residents without money transfer or phone access. The Tigray Broadcasting Service has launched a satellite television initiative to reconnect families, but the service remains limited to greetings and updates.
Within the region, MSF has admitted more than 700 wounded, including children as young as three days old and livestock herders, to hospitals it supports. A single strike on the town’s marketplace killed twelve people in one blast.
There are concerns that neighbouring Eritrea could become involved, as Ethiopian authorities accuse Asmara of backing armed groups, a claim it denies. The internecine conflict threatens to widen the war’s reach beyond local borders.
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