Addis Ababa – Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said that his country is ready to “receive and reintegrate” thousands of refugees fleeing the northern state of Tigray where federal troops are fighting local forces.
He vowed to “protect their property” and “guarantee their peace upon return”, according to a tweet.
The UN estimated that around 20,000 people have crossed from Tigray into neighbouring Sudan over the last 10 days.
Ethiopia’s government has rejected calls for mediation saying they would incentivise impunity, but the humanitarian crisis is worsening.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has promised to enable humanitarian support by the military, but it’s not clear how that can be achieved amid an escalating conflict.
Meanwhile the Ethiopian Army says it has taken control of the strategic town of Alamata.
On the other hand the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has accused the government of conducting airstrikes in the state’s capital, Mekelle.
Both claims are difficult to independently verify as the government maintains a communications blackout in the area.
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