Ethiopian government announces "final action" in its stand-off with Tigray rebels

The Ethiopian government announced on Thursday (26 November) that armed forces would begin "final action" in Mekelle, the capital city of the country's northern Tigray region where a military standoff between local forces and federal troops has been ongoing in recent days. The Ethiopian government urged civilians to stay home. 

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the final ultimatum for the TPLF forces in Tigray has expired. Abiy said the army troops would take "great care" to make sure to "protect innocent civilians from harm," as well as protect places of worship, public facilities and heritage sites.

The humanitarian pressure is mounting on Sudan, where thousands of civilians fled from Tigray in the past few weeks. Babar Baloch, a spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, told reporters in Geneva Friday that more than 33,000 refugees have so far fled Ethiopia's Tigray region into a desolate location in Sudan. 

Abiy Ahmed ruled out dialogue with the leaders of the defiant Tigray region but said he is willing to speak to representatives “operating legally” there during a meeting with three African Union special envoys trying to end the conflict between federal troops and the Tigray’s forces. It is not clear if the AU envoys will meet Tigray’s representatives. 

With communications and transport links severed, it remains difficult to verify claims about the fighting and casualties. Abiy Ahmed insists that the military operations are "law-and-order operation" and claimed that the aim was to "protect the Tigrayan people from the TPLF junta", which he accused of "committing different atrocities". 

On its turn, the TPLF, which controls Mekelle, has vowed to keep fighting. Mekelle, a city of 500,000 inhabitants, can witness intense guerilla-style fighting with the campaign extending for several weeks. 
 

Source: commonspace.eu with agencies.  
Photo: View from Mekelle.  

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
LINKS Europe announces the names of all the chairpersons of the five thematic groups for the development of the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue

LINKS Europe announces the names of all the chairpersons of the five thematic groups for the development of the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue

LINKS Europe has successfully completed the first phase of its project to develop the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue as part of its commitment within the EU4Peace III programme, funded by the European Union. In this first phase, which lasted from September 2024 to April 2025, LINKS Europe conducted an assessment of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and mobilised the personnel necessary for delivering the project output. LINKS Europe Foundation is pleased to announce the names of the chairs/co-chairs of the five thematic groups within the initiative.  

Popular

Editor's choice
News
LINKS Europe announces the names of all the chairpersons of the five thematic groups for the development of the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue

LINKS Europe announces the names of all the chairpersons of the five thematic groups for the development of the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue

LINKS Europe has successfully completed the first phase of its project to develop the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue as part of its commitment within the EU4Peace III programme, funded by the European Union. In this first phase, which lasted from September 2024 to April 2025, LINKS Europe conducted an assessment of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and mobilised the personnel necessary for delivering the project output. LINKS Europe Foundation is pleased to announce the names of the chairs/co-chairs of the five thematic groups within the initiative.