Renewed conflict erupted on 23 September in Ethiopia between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The TPLF launched an attack, which it stated was a response to drone strikes conducted by the federal government.
Witnesses have described a widespread campaign of forced recruitment in Tigray, specifically targeting men and boys aged between 15 and 65. Furthermore, a new alliance of armed groups within Tigray has been forcibly recruiting men and boys.
The Tigray region has remained under siege for the past week. Ethiopian Airlines suspended all flights to and from the Tigray region.
Internet and phone communications were cut off by order of the TPLF until this week. Banks reopened, implementing a daily withdrawal limit of 2,000 birr, which equates to nine pounds.
The UN International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia stated that the Ethiopian army, Eritrean forces, and Amhara nationalist “fano” militias previously committed grave atrocities against the Tigrayan population amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity. The British government estimates that between 300,000 and 800,000 civilians died during the Tigray conflict.
The Eritrean Defence Forces and Amhara militias have reportedly switched allegiance, now fighting in support of the TPLF.
Gezu (34) stated, “I refused to join the war”.
Gezu* (34)
