Ethiopia says it has recaptured major cities from Tigray rebels

NAIROBI, Kenya/ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

Ethiopia said Monday that its army has successfully recaptured several major towns and areas from Tigrayan rebels, including the strategic cities of Dessie and Kombolcha.

In a statement to Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC), a state-affiliated mass media company in Ethiopia, the government’s communication service reported that the historic city of Dessie and commercial and industrial corridor city of Kombolcha have been liberated by “a coalition of brave security forces.”

“The Ethiopian Security Forces, led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, liberated Bati, Kersa, Gerba and Dega in the Eastern front in addition to Dessie and Kombolcha,” FBC reported.

The office of the Prime Minister in Ethiopia also confirmed in a tweet that Abiy led his forces in retaking the towns.

This is the latest update from the war front since two weeks ago after he took to the battleground personally, saying he will direct his army from the front lines.

Now in its 13th month, the armed conflict between government forces and fighters from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has claimed thousands of innocent lives and left many others facing famine-like conditions as affected areas are cut off from international aid.

TPLF spokesman Getachew Reda said Monday in a statement that Tigrayan forces were making progress in the war, noting that Dessie was still in their hands.

“Our territorial adjustments are already taking shape. From Tarma Ber all the way through to Dessie, we have crushed enemy contingents big and small. Quite simply, [Prime Minister] Abiy [and] his partners are no match for us,” he said.

“There are so many tactical, operational and strategic considerations behind our move. While none of these considerations will detract from our primary objective of ensuring the safety and security of our people, we are confident we will be far better placed to achieve far more illustrious goals in the few weeks ahead. “

At least three million people have been internally displaced so far and nearly 10 million need emergency assistance due to the war in Ethiopia between the TPLF and the Ethiopian Defense Forces.

In a joint statement Monday on detentions in Ethiopia signed by Australia, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, the UK and the US, the six countries raised concerns over alarming reports of the unlawful mass detention of civilians of Tigrayan origin throughout Ethiopia.

They said they are “concerned by reports of the Ethiopian government’s detention of large numbers of Ethiopian citizens on the basis of their ethnicity and without charge.”

“We denounce any and all violence against civilians past, present and future. All armed actors should cease fighting and the Eritrean Defense Forces should withdraw from Ethiopia.”

The international partners called for all parties to seize the opportunity to negotiate a sustainable cease-fire without preconditions, adding that Ethiopians must build an inclusive political process and national consensus through political and legal means and all those responsible for violations and abuses of human rights must be held accountable.