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The army announces the start of the critical part of the operation (France Press)
The Ethiopian army announced on Sunday its intention to “use tanks to surround the city of Mikkeli”, the capital of the northern region of Tigray, warning civilians that it can also use artillery shells in the attack on the city.
“The next stages are the decisive part of the operation and are represented by the siege of Mikeli, using tanks, ending the battle in the mountainous areas and advancing towards the fields,” military spokesman Colonel Digin Tsegayi told the Corporation of Ethiopian Radio and Television.
The conflict erupted on November 4 after what the government described as a surprise attack by the forces of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, the political party that governs Tigray, on federal forces in the region.
Information on the evolution of the clashes is scarce and it is difficult to verify the assertions of all the parties due to the interruption of telephone and Internet communications in the area since the outbreak of the conflict. The media are also not allowed to operate to a large extent.
The two sides said that federal forces have taken control of the city of Adigrat, which is 116 kilometers north of Mikkeli.
Degin Tsegayi said that civilians in Mikkeli, home to half a million people, should be aware of the danger.
“So far, we are attacking only the targets that are stationed by the junta fighters, but in the case of Mikeli, the situation may be different,” he added, referring to the Popular Front of Tigrayans for the Liberation of Tigray.
“We want to send a message to the people of Mekele to protect themselves from any artillery attack and to distance themselves from the military junta. The rebels are hiding among the citizens and these people must isolate themselves from them,” he said.
“After that, you will have no mercy on us,” he said.
Leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front did not respond to requests for comment.
(Reuters)
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