MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Ethiopia’s federal troops have seized the town of Idaga Hamus, some 97 km from the rebel-held Tigray regional capital Mekelle as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announces second phase of a “law enforcement operation” has been brought to an end.
A government taskforce said on Sunday that Ethiopian defense forces captured Idaga Hamus, a town on Adigrat-Mekelle highway as the military moves on to Tigray capital in a final push to quell rebellious regional authorities.
“Our defense force took control of Idaga Hamus town which is located on the road from Adigrat to Mekelle. The defense force is advancing to take Mekelle, which is the final goal of the operation,” the taskforce said in a tweet.
The Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed claimed that federal troops took major cities during what he termed as a “law enforcement operation”. Among the towns the PM named are Axum, Adigrat, Shire, Humera, Adwa and Alamata.
Abiy also announced that the second phase of the operation had been brought to an end and that “the third and final phase” of the operation swung into action to bring Mekelle-based TPLF junta to justice.
Media are still unable to verify claims by the Ethiopian government because phone and internet communication has been down since fighting began earlier this month.
Tigray authorities have not immediately commented on the claims.
Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com
