Source: Reuters
By
Neither side gave proof for their assertions about the month-long war in the mountainous region bordering Eritrea where phone communications have been down and access severely restricted.
Fighting between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s federal army and forces loyal to the region’s former ruling party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), erupted on Nov. 4.
Thousands of people are believed to have died while more than 45,000 refugees have crossed to neighbouring Sudan.
TPLF leaders, who enjoy strong popular support in Tigray, appear to have fled to surrounding mountains and say they have begun a guerrilla-style resistance.
TPLF No. 1 Debretsion Gebremichael, one of the most wanted men in Ethiopia, told Reuters in a text message that there were protests in Mekelle, which is home to 500,000 people, due to looting by Eritrean soldiers.
“Eritrean soldiers are everywhere,” he said, repeating an accusation that President Isaias Afwerki has sent soldiers over the border to back Abiy against their mutual foe.
Both Ethiopia and Eritrea have denied that.
Ethiopia says the TPLF wants to internationalize the conflict as a way to force the government, which appears to hold all the major towns, into international mediation.
Debretsion, a 57-year-old former guerrilla radio operator, gave no evidence of looting or the presence of Eritreans. A diplomatic source shared a picture of a road covered in stones, which he said was sent from a resident of Mekelle, but it was unclear where or when the picture was shot.
On Wednesday, state TV showed images of people shopping and sitting on stools in Mekelle city. But there have been no images of security forces interacting with residents.
Stop GENOCIDE in Tigray
Stop killing your on people
Stop bobbing In Tigray
Excellent reports. & Very useful .
This looting report is so mischiviouse that it is intended to fuel the dirty politics of TPLF. There is nothing to be looted. It is a barren serpent land. After all Tigrians are war ravaged communities since the birth of the serpent TPLF. TPLF already looted what was there. No more left for others to do the looting. Afterall no one else is as destitute and hungry as the Tigrians do due to TPLF. The richest guys are all TPLF members and ellites. The rest of Togrians faced their daily fight with extreame poverty.
This looting report is so mischiviouse that it is intended to fuel the dirty politics of TPLF. There is nothing to be looted. It is a barren serpent land. After all Tigrians are war ravaged communities since the birth of the serpent TPLF. TPLF already looted what was there. No more left for others to do the looting. Afterall no one else is as destitute and hungry as the Tigrians do due to TPLF. The richest guys are all TPLF members and ellites. The rest of Togrians faced their daily fight with extreame poverty.
This is the only reality about Tigray.