Large-Scale Clashes Resume Between Government Forces and Rebels in Ethiopia... Peace Agreement Effectively Collapsed

Large-scale clashes have broken out between government forces and Tigray rebels in northern Ethiopia, leading to assessments that the 2022 peace agreement has effectively collapsed.

These large-scale clashes erupted three days after the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and six other armed groups announced the formation of the "Ethiopian National Army Alliance for Survival" (Survival Alliance) on the 20th, vowing to overthrow the government.

According to local time on the 24th to outlets such as AP, AFP, and the British BBC, the TPLF seized control of three airports in Tigray the previous day, which had previously been administered by the government.

They also launched attacks against government forces alongside local armed groups in the neighboring Afar and Amhara regions.

A humanitarian worker in the Afar region stated that the rebels attacked the Yallo area within the state, carrying out artillery bombardment with heavy weapons.

Following the seizure of the airports in Tigray by the TPLF, Ethiopian Airlines canceled all flights to Tigray.

Previously, Ethiopian government forces and Tigray rebels fought a civil war from 2020 to 2022 that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives before signing a peace agreement.

However, after regaining control over the political administration of the Tigray region in May, the TPLF declared in July that the peace agreement was "effectively dead."

Both the government and the Tigray rebels blamed each other for the resumption of large-scale clashes.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly the previous day, Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie stated that there had been "interference in domestic affairs by hostile forces" and urged, "Our message to those forces bringing destruction and chaos is clear. Respect the sacred right of the people to live in peace and prosperity."

The Tigray rebels claimed they were forced to launch a defensive operation after government airstrikes in southern Alamata caused casualties, killing at least 14 people and injuring 22.

Amanuel Assefa, vice president of the TPLF, told AFP, "We are now in a situation of total war."

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairperson of the African Union Commission, urged both sides to "immediately de-escalate tensions" and resume dialogue.

Ervin Massinga, the U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia, stated that the TPLF made "the wrong decision to launch a major offensive," adding, "A fight with no chance of winning does no good for the residents. It would be wise for other armed groups not to join this fight."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.