Nairobi, Kenya (AP) – Up to 200,000 refugees fleeing deadly conflict could enter Sudan In the northern Tigris region of Ethiopia, officials say, while the first details are coming out of a large number of cut-off civilians under increasing stress. Already at least 6,000 people have crossed the border.
Long lines have appeared outside bread shops in the Tigre region, and trucks loaded with supplies are stranded at its borders, the United Nations humanitarian chief in the country told the Associated Press in an interview.
“We want to get humanitarian access as soon as possible,” said Sajjad Mohammad Sajid. “There is an urgent need for fuel and food.” As of late Tuesday, he said Tigre had a “very difficult time” for 2 million people, including thousands of displaced people.
Communications with the Tigris region have almost completely disrupted a week after Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning Prime Minister Abia Ahmed announced military action. In response to the alleged attack by regional forces. He insists that no negotiations will take place with the regional government until its ruling “group” is arrested and its illegal arsenal is destroyed.
Britain and the African Union have urged Abi for immediate de-escalation as the conflict threatens to destabilize the strategic but sensitive horn of the African region. The United States did not immediately return a request seeking comment.
From this standoff the U.N. And about 900 support staff from other groups are struggling to reach out to the outside world with requests for help. Sajid said the nine UN agencies, about 20 NGOs, are all based in two offices.
In addition, more than 1,000 people of different nationalities are stuck in the area, he said. Including tourists. Countries are urgently demanding their relocation.
“With the airport closed in Tigre, roads have been blocked, internet service has been cut off and even banks will no longer work,” he said. “Ensuring that about 2 million people receive humanitarian assistance makes our lives very difficult.”
There is no indication of a lull in the many airstrikes carried out by federal forces and the fighting in which hundreds of deaths have been reported on each side.
“It seems that, unfortunately, this cannot be something that can be resolved by either party in a week or two.” “It looks like it’s going to be a long struggle, which is a big concern from the point of view of protecting civilians.”
The federal government of Ethiopia and the regional government of Tigre, the Tigre People’s Liberation Front, blame each other for starting the conflict. Consider each other illegal. TPLF Ethiopia’s ruling coalition dominated for years before Abiya came to power in 2018, but has since broken down, accusing the prime minister’s administration of targeting and marginalizing its officials.
Diplomats, experts and others find it difficult to verify both sides’ claims about the fight.
Experts compare this to inter-state conflict, with each side heavily armed and well-trained. The Tigre region has an estimated quarter-million different armed fighters, and of the six mechanized divisions of the Ethiopian army, four are based in Tigre. It is the legacy of Ethiopia’s long border war with Eritrea, which made peace after Abiya came to power, but it is in a state of bitter differences with the TPLF.
“The war has now reached a different stage,” Tigre said, accusing Eritrea of attacking its territory at Ethiopia’s request on Tuesday. Eritrean officials did not respond to requests for comment.
At least 6,000 Ethiopian refugees have crossed the currently closed border into Sudan under increasing pressure, the state’s Suna news agency reported late Tuesday. More than 200,000 Ethiopians will enter Sudan in the coming days, the agency said, citing unnamed officials.
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AP reporter Sami Magdi in Cairo contributed to this report.
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