Tigray is a northern state in Ethiopia which borders Eritrea and Sudan and is home to over 5 million people. Over the past few weeks, leaders of Tigrayan forces in northern Ethiopia started launching attacks aimed at sparking a war in Africa’s horn. The rebellious Tigrayan troops have restricted access to the region and stopped any and all communication in the region. To try and contain these rebels, the Ethiopian government launched an airstrike in its offensive.
Attacks by Tigrayan Forces
Just last week, Tigrayan forces in the region fired rockets at the airport in Eritrea’s capital. A leader from the group confirmed that they did so because neighboring Eritrea had sent tanks and thousands of troops into Tigray to support the Ethiopian government offensive.
At least three rockets were aimed at the airports in Eritrea’s capital, Asmara. Later on, the TPFL announced it had successfully hit two airports in the neighboring Amhara region of Ethiopia. But because Eritrea is one of the most reclusive countries reporters could not reach anyone to confirm the allegations. Additionally, details on any possible deaths or damage were not confirmed.
However, Ethiopia’s federal government said airstrikes by the Tigray regional forces damaged the airports in Gondar and Bahir. Ethiopia’s government added that they were sure that the Tigray forces were repairing and utilizing the last of the weaponry within their arsenals.
Launching of Military Operations
The Tigray regional government said that it would continue firing missiles at Eritrea’s airports unless the attacks against them stop. Meanwhile, they continued with the attacks on foreign and government troops based and coming into the Tigrayan region. Because of the conflict, hundreds of people on both sides have died. The war threatens to destabilize other parts of Ethiopia as well.
A large number of Ethiopians have fled the northern state in Ethiopia into Sudan, seeking safer shelter. On Sunday, the United Nations refugee agency and local officials stated that the number of people fleeing into Sudan had risen to at least 20,000. According to UNHCR figures, more than 12,500 refugees had crossed at Hamdayat and nearly 7,500 to the south at al-Luqdi from Nov 7 to 14th.
Because of the attacks in Tigray, the Ethiopian government accused the Tigrayan leaders of treason. Additionally, the government launched military operations aimed at restoring the rule of law in the region. Despite the difficulty in accessing the site and the lack of communication in Tigray, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed assured that Ethiopia was more than capable of achieving its objectives in Tigray by itself.
Airstrike on Meles Academy University
The Ethiopian government believes that the Tigray forces possess powerful military hardware. Due to this, they have been carrying out numerous airstrikes to destroy equipment controlled by the insurgent Tigray forces. In its latest airstrike, the Ethiopian military struck Meles Academy University in the capital of the northern Tigrayan region.
A Facebook post by rebel forces in Tigray said that the airstrike took place at around 12:45 pm. The attack resulting in heavy casualties of many university students and other civilians. The post was accompanied by several photos that showed adults with injuries in Mekelle Tigray’s capital. According to the rebels, this was the fourth airstrike on Mekelle. Ethiopia’s government, however, denied bombing the city center and said it has only attacked military targets on the outskirts.
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