Ethiopia: No Regard for Civilians as Fighting in Ethiopia Continues

Fighting has resumed in northern Ethiopia, dismantling a fragile peace in the area. Eyewitnesses report civilians caught in the crossfire as rebels and federal forces clash for control of territory. Communication services are largely down, making it difficult to gather information from the affected regions. A 22-year-old woman from Selenwuha shared that her relatives were sheltering at home when heavy weapons struck their residences, claiming she lost six family members in the attack.

Many survivors are stranded at home with no access to medical facilities or transportation. The strategic town of Alamata is reported to have been taken by the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), based on accounts from local residents. The ENDF, Ethiopia's official military, is advancing towards the regional capital Mekelle, while Tigrayan forces are defending towns such as Mekoni and Maychew.

Pro-government media reported earlier that the ENDF had seized control of Alamata on September 27. Some residents allege that federal forces deliberately targeted civilians, pointing to the timing of the attack during a crowded market where 11 people were killed and 15 wounded. This claim has not been independently verified. Clashes erupted on September 23 when Tigrayan forces captured key locations in Mekele, Aksum, and Shire, following the formation of a new alliance between the Tigray People's Liberation Front and six other armed groups.

The federal government and Tigrayan forces have blamed each other, claiming their military actions are defensive. The unraveling of Ethiopia's fragile peace accord has left concerns about the civilian toll and potential rights violations. Only around 160 people have been evacuated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from Tigray, leaving many residents in dire need of assistance.