Ethiopian military launched airstrikes on the Tigrayan capital of Mekele on Monday, in a new chapter of the nearly year-long conflict in Ethiopia’s north, according to humanitarian officials and diplomats.
Although there have been others in the Tigray region, these are the first documented air raids in Mekele since the crisis began in November last year.
“Airstrike now in Mekele,” a city humanitarian officer told AFP through SMS, detailing attacks that were also confirmed by a second humanitarian source, two diplomats, and a rebel spokesman.
The first air raid occurred in the morning on the outskirts of Mekele near a cement factory, the sources said.
The second took place around midday in the city centre near the Planet Hotel, often used by top officials from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, the region’s former ruling party and the target of a government military operation since November 2020.
The TPLF said the aerial assaults were designed to inflict civilian casualties.
“Monday is market day in Mekelle & the intention is all too palpable,” TPLF spokesman Getachew Reda said on Twitter.
The reports could not be independently verified and government officials could not be reached for comment.
Medical officials in Mekele could not immediately be reached to provide information on casualties.
The strikes come as the government appeared to be pursuing a new offensive in the war against the TPLF, which dominated national politics before Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office in 2018.
There were reports last week of fresh clashes between government and rebel forces in Afar, a region bordering Tigray, where fighting has also spread.
(REUTERS)
