Ethiopia’s government is again warning residents of the besieged capital of the embattled Tigray region as the clock ticks on a 72-hour ultimatum before a military assault, saying anything can happen.
Senior official Redwan Hussein told reporters on Monday that the Tigray regional leaders are hiding out in a densely populated city; the slightest strike would end up losing lives.
Human rights groups and others were alarmed over the weekend when Ethiopia’s military warned civilians in the Tigray capital, Mekele, that there would be no mercy if they don’t save themselves before the offensive to flush out defiant regional leaders.
Also read: Growing cooperation in neighbourhood conflicts
Amnesty International warns that deliberately attacking civilians and civilian objects is prohibited under international humanitarian law and constitutes war crimes.
Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, issued a 72-hour ultimatum on Sunday for the leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, or TPLF, to surrender.
Redwan said that Mekele, a city of around 500,000 people, is now encircled at a distance of about 50 kilometres (30 miles), and with rougher terrain left behind what remains is the plain land, easier for tanks. He added, by providing a brute fact, it is letting people to understand the reality and make the right choice.
Ethiopia’s government is urging Mekele residents to separate themselves from the TPLF leaders in time.
Comments
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.