Qatar and UAE back Ethiopian government as fighting spreads beyond Tigray
Fighting has displaced an estimated 150,000 people, drawing responses from Qatar and the UAE as Ethiopia and its neighbours trade accusations.
In the last three days of intense fighting in Tigray, at least 52 civilians have been killed, according to hospital sources who spoke to the BBC. Government troops reportedly took control of the town of Alamata from regional fighters and plan to push further north towards Mekelle, the region's main city. Social media footage shows army tanks on the streets of Alamata.
The clashes began last week amidst months of tension between the government and the Tigray regional government, which accused each other of violating a 2022 peace deal. The fighting has also spread to neighboring regions, stranding 33 tourists in Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and causing a humanitarian crisis as people from surrounding areas fled to Alamata.
International aid organizations are struggling to reach the affected areas due to cut communications. The root cause of the conflict remains disputed, with the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) claiming self-defense against federal drone strikes, while the government alleges Tigrayan forces initiated the attack following a seizure of regional airports.
Written by urgent.news from KahawaTungu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
