The rebels have said they have taken over cities north of Addis Ababa. Residents of the capital have been urged to prepare for fighting.
In Ethiopia the government has declared a state of emergency in the country and authorities have ordered residents of the capital, Addis Ababa, to register their firearms and prepare to defend their home corners, AFP news agency reports.
The order is linked to the country’s administration preparing for the possible advance of the Tigray TPLF (Tigray People’s Liberation Front) to the capital. Because of the situation, the Ethiopian government has declared a state of emergency in the country, Reuters reports.
The TPLF has not publicly denied sending its fighters to Addis Ababa.
The United States Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman warned the rebels not to proceed to the capital.
“I say this clearly: we oppose all TPLF movements towards Addis Ababa and all TPLF intentions to besiege Addis Ababa [Abeba]. This is the message we have emphasized in our dealings with TPLF leaders. ”
Feltman also denied allegations that the United States had supported the TPLF or that the country intended to replace the prime minister. Abiy Ahmedin administration.
“We respect the opinion of the majority of citizens who oppose a return to Meles-style rule,” Feltman said, referring to a former Ethiopian leader. Meles Zenawiin.
Zenawi was a former U.S.-backed leader in Ethiopia who ran from 1991 to 2012.
Feltman also described recent events in the country as “much more worrying than they were just a few months ago”. If the conflict continues, he said, could have “devastating consequences” for the country’s unity, stability and relations with the United States.
Feltman also showed his accusing finger at Eritrea, which he said is “still a destructive and destabilizing actor in the region, including within Ethiopia”.
The United States has seen signs of famine and its threat in Ethiopia, according to Feltman. Various aid organizations have accused the country’s administration of making aid more difficult and of failing to reach those in need.
Tigrayn TPLF troops have said they have captured two important cities north of Addis Ababa in recent days. The government has disputed the information.
On Monday, another rebel group fighting the central Ethiopian government, the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), said it had captured the city of Kemi about 325 kilometers from Addis Ababa. OLA has allied with TPLF.
It is very difficult to obtain reliable information about the Ethiopian war, as internet connections have been cut off in much of the country and journalists have not been allowed to report from the front line.
If the information true, Tigray’s troops have made significant gains after years of fighting. Advancing to Addis Ababa would mean the risk of a new humanitarian crisis in a city of five million inhabitants.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed claimed in his speech on Monday that there would also be foreign fighters in Tigray’s troops. He did not clarify his claim. It is known that the only foreigners who fought in the Ethiopian war have been Eritreans who have fought on the side of government forces.
Tuesday President of the United States Joe Biden announced its intention to terminate the trade agreement with Ethiopia, as Ethiopia is accused of “serious internationally recognized human rights violations”.
The Ethiopian Ministry of Economy said it was disappointed with the U.S. intention.
The war began in Ethiopia a year ago when the prime minister sent troops to Tigray and predicted the fighting would be over in a couple of weeks. However, the war dragged on, and in the summer the rebels said they had received command of most of Tigray County. At the same time, fighting spread to the neighboring provinces of Afar and Amhara.
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