More drone strikes in Tigray even as government calls for dialogue

19 people were killed in drone strikes earlier this week in Ethiopia’s Tigray region according to the latest reports. Humanitarian workers confirmed the strikes saying dozens more were injured. These were the second strikes, after a similar attack last week which resulted in the death of more than 56 at a camp for the internally displaced. 

Government forces refused to comment and had stated multiple times before that they do not target civilians in the conflict. It is believed that Turkish made drones bought recently from Turkey were used in the operations. The latest attacks coincided with the US president Joe Biden voicing his concern about the continuing violence in a phone call with the Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed.

Since the fighting started in November 2020, both the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian government forces have been conducting tit-for-tat operations in a battle over the Tigray region. Thousands have already been killed since the fighting started. 

However, the Ethiopian government does not rule out the possibility of a national dialogue. The federal government on Friday said that “the key to lasting unity is dialogue”. In the wake of a string of military victories over Tigrayan forces, the government said: “One of the moral obligations of the victor is mercy.”

The comments came as the country celebrated Orthodox Christmas with the government announcing an amnesty for several TPLF leaders. Analysts say that the option of dialogue is the most significant breakthrough since the war broke out. 
 


Source: commonspace.eu with The Guardian (London) and the Financial Times (London). 
Picture: Ethiopian security forces patrol a city in Tigray after capturing it from the TPLF; Source: Minasse Wondimu Hailu/AA/picture alliance

 

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
Robert Prevost, Chicago-born missionary, elected Pope Leo XIV

Robert Prevost, Chicago-born missionary, elected Pope Leo XIV

Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States on Thursday, picking the papal name Leo XIV after cardinals from around the world elected him leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. Tens of thousands of people packed in St Peter's Square cheered as Prevost appeared on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, waving with both hands, smiling and bowing. "Peace by with you," he told the crowds, before beginning his first address, where he called for "building bridges".

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Robert Prevost, Chicago-born missionary, elected Pope Leo XIV

Robert Prevost, Chicago-born missionary, elected Pope Leo XIV

Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States on Thursday, picking the papal name Leo XIV after cardinals from around the world elected him leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. Tens of thousands of people packed in St Peter's Square cheered as Prevost appeared on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, waving with both hands, smiling and bowing. "Peace by with you," he told the crowds, before beginning his first address, where he called for "building bridges".