TPLF rejects ceasefire in Tigray, promises to “completely” crush Eritrean and Amhara troops
NAIROBI, Kenya – The war in the Tigray region and its surroundings seems far from over, following the rejection of a ceasefire by the Tigray Defense Forces [TDF], formerly known as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Tigray [TPLF], which has controlled the region for decades.
Ethiopian National Defense Forces [ENDF] suffered a heavy blow on Monday after the TDF recaptured Mekelle, the regional administrative capital of Tigray, weeks after launching a major assault on federal troops who have controlled the region for months.
On Tuesday, TDF entered Shire, a town northwest of Mekelle, which was under the control of Eritrean troops. Multiple sources have confirmed that Eritrean troops have withdrawn from the city and from Aksum, a holy city in northern Ethiopia.
The news sparked street celebrations in several locations as federal soldiers, their Eritrean allies and members of an interim regional government appointed by Abiy fled their posts.
In a statement, the pre-war Tigray government hailed TDF’s advances and called on its fighters to exert pressure, indicating that the war could escalate in the coming weeks as TDF consolidates its territories in the region.
“The government of Tigray calls on our people and our army of Tigray to intensify their struggle until our enemies completely leave Tigray,” he said.
The International Crisis Group, a conflict prevention organization, said on Tuesday that the TDF now controlled “most of the region, including major cities.” He made these gains “primarily through mass popular support and the capture of weapons and supplies from adversaries,” senior analyst William Davison said.
Communications were cut across Tigray on Tuesday, making it difficult to verify reports of troop movements. But on Tuesday afternoon, UN officials confirmed that TDF forces were in the County.
“People have taken to the streets in droves. Huge crowds line the main roads and travel is somewhat difficult,” a UN security assessment document said.
Getachew Reda, spokesperson for the Tigrayan forces, told AFP on Tuesday evening that they were ready to drive their opponents far beyond Tigray, to the capitals of Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea, which allied with Abiy.
“We will do whatever it takes to secure Tigray. If walking towards Asmara is what it takes to secure Tigray, we will. If walking towards Addis is what it takes to secure Tigray, we will. will, ”Getachew told AFP.
“Nothing is off the table.”
In addition to Eritrea, federal forces have received support from the Ethiopian region of Amhara, which borders Tigray to the south. Amhara forces have been accused of annexing parts of Tigray in what US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called “ethnic cleansing”.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Amhara branch of Abiy’s ruling party said it would reject any attempt by Tigrayian forces to reclaim this land.
“We want to reiterate that if there is a desire to take these areas by force illegally, there will be no Amhara who will not pay for his freedom,” he said.
– ‘Difficult’ path to peace –
The current TDF offensive was timed to coincide with the much-awaited national elections in Ethiopia, which took place on June 21 across much of the country – but not in Tigray – and were to provide Abiy with a comfortable victory.
The brutal war in Tigray has been marked by massacres, widespread sexual violence and other abuses.
On Tuesday evening, the United States also cautiously greeted the action, noting that it “could be a positive step if it results in changes on the ground to end the conflict, stop atrocities and allow unhindered humanitarian assistance. “.
Getachew, however, dismissed the ceasefire declaration as “a joke”. His statement that TDF will pursue “enemies” in their territories could point to yet another bloody encounter in an area that has lost thousands to the massacres.
Unconfirmed reports indicated that the TDF had killed nearly 33,000 ENDF troops in the past two weeks, necessitating the declaration of an unprecedented ceasefire. Even in November, when war broke out, TDF had fired missiles at Eritrea, further recognition of its prowess.
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