True Left

Fears mount of protracted conflict in Ethiopia, as Prime Minister Abiy’s government declares war on northern region of Tigray.

No sign of a lull in fighting that has included multiple air raids by federal forces and hundreds of people reported dead on each side.

As many as 200,000 refugees could pour into Sudan while fleeing the deadly conflict in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, officials say, as more than 8,000 people have already crossed the border.

Long lines have appeared outside bread shops in the Tigray region, and supply-laden trucks are stranded at its borders, the United Nations humanitarian chief in the country said.

“We want to have humanitarian access as soon as possible,” Sajjad Mohammad Sajid said. “Fuel and food are needed urgently.”

Up to two million people in Tigray have a “very, very difficult time”, he said late on Tuesday, including hundreds of thousands of displaced people.

Hundreds have died in air raids and fighting since the conflict erupted a week ago, according to reports. Fears are growing that Ethiopia, a nation of 110 million, could slide into a civil war.
Under growing pressure, at least 8,000 Ethiopian refugees have crossed the now-closed border into Sudan, the state-run SUNA news agency reported. The agency, citing unidentified officials, said more than 200,000 Ethiopians were expected to cross into Sudan in the coming days.

At least three rockets have been fired from Ethiopia into neighbouring Eritrea, potentially adding a regional dimension to the conflict between Ethiopian government forces and leaders in the Tigray region on the 11th day of fighting. Diplomats in the region say two of the rockets hit the main airport in Eritrea's capital, Asmara. The Tigrayan People's Liberation Front had earlier threatened Eritrea. Eritrea and Ethiopia signed a peace deal two years ago, but Asmara is not on good terms with the Tigrayan leadership.