Ethiopia fighting escalates in Tigray killing 52 civilians, medic tells the BBC
At least 52 civilians have been killed during three days of heavy fighting around Alamata in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, hospital sources have told the BBC. It appears government troops…
In the past three days, intense fighting has erupted in the northern Ethiopian region of Tigray, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 52 civilians, according to hospital sources who spoke to the BBC. The government's forces seem to have gained control of the town of Alamata and reportedly plan to advance towards the regional capital, Mekelle.
Social media footage depicts the army's tanks patrolling the streets of Alamata. The clash originated from a dispute between the Ethiopian government and Tigray's ruling party, which has been ongoing for months. Both sides have accused each other of breaking a 2022 peace deal that had concluded a two-year civil war. The conflict has also impacted neighboring Amhara region, where 33 tourists are stranded in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lalibela.
A British tourist, who wished to remain anonymous, reported hearing gunfire and artillery sounds throughout the week. He noted a significant military presence in Lalibela, known for its ancient rock-hewn churches and significance to Orthodox Christians. Most of the tourists are currently unable to leave due to the closure of the airport last Wednesday; however, 14 Israeli tourists were evacuated by military helicopter on Monday.
The area around Lalibela has seen a joint effort between the army and an Amhara militia that has allied with Tigrayan fighters. There is concern that neighboring Eritrea may become involved in the conflict, as the Ethiopian government accuses Eritrea of backing the armed groups, a claim Eritrea denies. Due to the ongoing conflict and communication cut-offs, the BBC cannot independently verify the situation in Tigray and the surrounding areas.
The two conflicting parties disagree on who initiated the latest fighting; the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) claims it was in response to a federal offensive, including drone strikes, while the government asserts that Tigrayan forces initiated the attack after capturing regional airports. The TPLF is also involved in combat in the Afar region, a crucial area linking Ethiopia to Djibouti and its ports.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the medical charity, reported that over 700 wounded individuals have been admitted to hospitals supported by MSF in Tigray since the fighting began. The doctor at Alamata General Hospital, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that the violence occurred between Saturday and Monday, involving heavy explosives and artillery, some of which landed in residential areas.
Sadly, the casualties included young children, mothers, and cattle herders, with twelve people losing their lives in a single strike on the town's marketplace. In response to the escalating crisis, banking services in Tigray have been suspended by the government, and internet access has been cut, though the party responsible for the shutdown remains unclear.
A local source in Alamata informed the BBC of a worsening humanitarian situation as the town's population swelled with individuals seeking refuge from the fighting. "Families from surrounding areas have been walking for hours to reach Alamata, hoping it would offer safety. Unfortunately, the town is now blocked – there is no banking service, no money transfer, no power, no internet, no phone.
People are in crisis, simply suffering, everyone is desperate and frustrated," the source lamented. The British tourist reported that online banking services were functioning in Lalibela, but there is a shortage of physical cash. He indicated that the situation in the town has slightly improved over the past two days, with indications that the airport might reopen on Thursday.
Currently, 54 tourists remain in Lalibela, including Americans, Israelis, Britons, South Koreans, South Africans, an Ethiopian-New Zealander, and a Mexican. For those stranded in Tigray due to the telephone blackout, the Tigray Broadcasting Service (TBS) has launched an initiative to reconnect families. The broadcaster will collect video messages through their Telegram channel and air them via satellite TV, providing a limited lifeline for families separated by the communication blackout.
The suspension of banking services is also affecting Tigrayans residing outside the region. Customers have reported that their bank accounts opened in Tigray have been frozen or restricted, causing significant distress for those who had to escape the situation in Tigray.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
