Ethiopia’s Tigray crisis: Authorities hunt for TPLF leadership

ETHIOPIA’S federal police are searching for the leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front ( TPLF) after government soldiers entered the Tigray regional capital, the Prime minster said.

Abiy Ahmed added that Mekelle’s capture marked the “last phase” of the threeweek conflict - but details are hard to confirm as communications are blocked.

The TPLF leader, meanwhile, vowed to fight on, in a statement to Reuters.

Hundreds have reportedly been killed in the conflict and thousands displaced. It began earlier this month after Mr Abiy announced an operation against the TPLF, the regional party, accusing it of attacking the Ethiopian army’s northern command HQ in Mekelle.

He has consistently described its leadership as a “criminal clique” and said that the police will “bring them to the court of law.”

The BBC managed to speak briefly to one contact in Mekelle who said that federal soldiers were in the city and he had heard sporadic gunshots yesterday morning. Some residents had earlier fled to the city’s outskirts, he added.

Meanwhile, the U. S. embassy in neighbouring Eritrea said six explosions were heard in the capital, Asmara, late on Saturday.

Tigrayan forces have previously fired rockets at Eritrea, which they accuse of backing Ethiopian government forces in the weeks- long conflict. It is not clear if the latest incidents in Asmara are linked to the fighting in Tigray.

In a statement on Twitter, Mr Abiy said the army was in full control of Mekelle and that this “marks the completion of the military’s last phase.”

“I am pleased to share that we have completed and ceased the military operations in the Tigray region.” The army had released thousands of soldiers taken by the TPLF and was in control of the airport and regional offices, Mr Abiy said, adding that the operation had been carried out with “due care for citizens.”

There have been fears for the safety of the 500,000 people living in the city.

Confirming details from Tigray is very hard as telephone and internet lines have been down during the conflict.

In a text message to Reuters, TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael did not directly comment on the situation on the ground, but said of the government forces: “Their brutality can only add to our resolve to fight these invaders to the last.”

He added: “This is about defending our right to selfdetermination.”

Mr Debretsion’s whereabouts are unknown.

A TPLF statement read out on regional Tigray TV said: “Fascistic bombings have caused civilian deaths and injuries. The Tigray government has vowed that it would take retaliatory actions against the barbaric bombings.”

It also accused the Eritrean government of involvement in the attack on Mekelle.

Tigray TV and another station from the region are now off air.