A strategically important airport in Ethiopia’s northern Tigris region has become a major battleground between opposing forces in the current conflict.
Pro-government accounts say the Ethiopian military controls the disabled airport – but Tigre does not appear to have stopped the Special Forces from attacking and disabling the runway in the last few days.
However, with the communications in the area greatly cut off, the situation was unclear.
We’ve taken a look at some footage placed about the attack, along with satellite images of the airport, and tried to put together a timeline of events.
Battle for the disabled airport
According to pro-government social-media accounts, the Ethiopian army captured the airport on 11 November.
Up to that point, it was in the hands of the Tigre Regional Forces (TPLF).
But control of the airport and surrounding area was not explicitly settled on that date.
On Thursday, November 19, Tigre leader Debrecen Gabra Michael told Reuters news agency that Aksum Nagar was still in their hands – but it was not clear if it included an airport.
“Aksum is with us – but an army has been sent to control Aksum – but there is a fight,” Mr Debratsin said.
On Friday, November 20, the government announced that it had captured the disabled town but the TPLFA had damaged infrastructure in the area.
And on Sunday, November 22, state media published a video and images of bricks and debris on the runway, as well as pits dug into the surface, saying the TPLFA attacked “plowed the airport and Destroyed. A lot for the economy and the disabled. “
To determine if these images are genuine, we look at the satellite imagery provided by Planet Labs before and after the attack.
On Thursday, November 19, the runway will appear free of debris or damage.
But a picture captured on Monday, November 23, shows lines around the airport, confirming reports that a trench had been dug next to the runway to prevent the plane from landing.
Other investigations have yielded similar findings.
The Tigre government has not yet commented on what happened at the airport.
Mr Debrecen denied that the TPLFA had destroyed the airport but confirmed that obstacles had been put in place to prevent the Ethiopian army from advancing.
Misleading images scattered among information
With the Internet and most mobile communications in the Tigris region, it is difficult to get an accurate picture of events.
Ethiopia’s state-controlled media has a monopoly access to the region and social media is rife with misleading images.
Following reports that the Ethiopian army had taken control of the airport, images of old stories unrelated to the conflict in pro-government accounts were shared, which Ethiopian military personnel at the airport are preparing to show.
Similarly, after reports by Ethiopian media that the TPLF had damaged the airport, social-media users began sharing images of the almost complete destruction of the terminal building.
But the picture that was shared was in fact of the 2014 Libyan airport attack.
Human Rights Watch has called on the Ethiopian government to restore communications in the region.
Why Aksam Airport is important
Ethiopia is a huge country and managing airports for supplies and personnel is important to the national army.
Aksam field is also important for historical reasons.
Prof. Ann Fitz-Gerald, Director of Balsili School International F. International Affairs, said, “This is very important because Bahir Dar and other northern airports in Gondar have also been damaged and airport security is important for mobilizing troops and keeping the physical line of communication open.” “
“If the regional security forces had not taken over the airport themselves, its tactics would have disrupted access to the airport.
“That would be the last ditch trick and maybe they would be dangerous.”
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