The Ethiopian army announced that following the escalation of clashes with the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), it has killed 272 Tigray rebels and injured another 260. These clashes, which began on Wednesday in the Tigray region, pose a threat to the fragile peace agreement signed in 2022.
Rising Tensions and Their Consequences
The clashes, which intensified on Wednesday, have raised significant concerns among international observers. Amanuel Assefa, deputy head of the TPLF, told reporters: "We are now in a state of full-scale war." These statements reflect the worsening situation and the potential for a humanitarian crisis in the region.
The Ethiopian army stated in a statement that this retaliatory operation has inflicted heavy losses on the TPLF. However, there is no independent verification of these figures, and it is unclear whether these casualties include civilians.
International Reactions and Monitoring Bodies
The African Union, the United Nations, and other international observers have called for calm and de-escalation in the region. Ervin G. Masinga, the U.S. ambassador to Addis Ababa, expressed disappointment over the TPLF's decision to launch a large-scale attack, stating: "Rejecting African Union-mediated talks and engaging in an unwinnable war does not help the people."
The Tigray People's Liberation Front was the dominant political force in Ethiopia from 1991 to 2018, after which Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sidelined the party. Abiy Ahmed received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for his efforts to improve relations with Eritrea, but his subsequent attempts to secure Ethiopia access to a seaport have created tensions with Eritrea and Somalia.
The Tigray People's Liberation Front rebelled against Abiy Ahmed in 2020, leading to a two-year war that resulted in approximately 500,000 deaths. These clashes not only led to violence and famine but also resulted in the collapse of healthcare services.
In recent days, reports of clashes in the Amhara region in the Ethiopian mountains have also emerged. Clashes around the holy city of Lalibela, known for its rock-hewn churches listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, have caused flight delays to this tourist destination.
The TPLF has also reported an alliance with Fano militants in Amhara. These militants, previously known as enemies of the TPLF, have begun their uprising in the region since 2023, and both sides are competing over territories that were annexed to the Amhara region after the last war.
