PMsays troops ordered to move on Tigray capital

NAIROBI, KENYA » Ethiopia’s prime minister said Thursday the army has been ordered to move on the embattled Tigray regional capital after his 72-hour ultimatum ended for Ti gray leaders to surrender, and he warned the city’s half-million residents to stay indoors and disarm. Instead, “an increasing number of people continues to leave Mekele” even after the deadline expired, U. N. humanitarian spokesman Saviano Abreu said. They join tens of thousands of newly displaced people throughout the region that remains almost completely sealed off from the world, beyond the reach of needed food and other aid. The military offensive “has reached its final stage” after threeweeks of fighting, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office said.