ADDIS ABABA (Somaliguardian) – Ethiopia’s army backed by hundreds of Amhara militias has retaken a key military base in Tigray region following days of fierce fighting and sustained air strikes targeting TPLF positions in the country’s north.
Ethiopian army has retaken the Northern Command in the town of Dansha, days after Tigray regional authorities said the base – which has many Tigrayan troops – had fallen under its control.
Police officers and members of the military were seen posing for photos at the entrance of the base on Monday after journalists were called to the scene. Journalists visiting the base were quickly turned away and forced to leave Dansha because military officials said fighting was underway nearby, suggesting the area was still contested.
Ethiopian Prime Minister reassured the world that his nation was not hurtling into a civil war and promised that the ongoing military operation will soon be brought to an end after achieving the objective of “ending prevailing impunity”.
Despite government claiming gains in the fighting to retake Tigray region, hundreds of troops are said to have been killed since a major military operation swung into action last week, ordered by Abiy Ahmed, in what he termed an operation to restore law and order.
A military official in Amhara, on the side of the federal troops, told Reuters that clashes with Tigrayan forces in Karakir had killed nearly 500 on the Tigrayan side.
Reuters quoting security sources reported that Ethiopian army had also lost hundreds in the original battle in Dansha.
AFP and Reuters reporters travelling in northern Ethiopia said they saw trucks loaded with armed militia and weapons rushing to the front line in support of the federal government push.
Air strikes still continue hitting targets in the region despite TPLF claims that their troops had downed Ethiopian fighter jet. Ethiopian military, however, denied the claims on Monday, indicating that the reports were “completely false”.
Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com
