The eight-month-long civil war in Ethiopia in the northern Tigray region has taken an unexpected turn. The Ethiopian government has announced a ceasefire as Tigrayan troops retake the regional capital, Mekelle. It is a unilateral ceasefire and Tigrayan forces didn’t accept it at all.
In fact, they are celebrating their control over Mekelle and are planning for big moves to jolt the Ethiopian government. Since November, the Ethiopian military has gained control of the major portion of Tigray.
It carried out a strong attack on the Tigray region with the help of Eritrean soldiers and local ethnic militias. The motive of the Ethiopian government was to remove the region’s ruling party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
However, the Tigray Defense Forces started preparing for retaliation for a long time. And it has finally removed the Ethiopian military from taking control of Mekelle.
Recapture of Tigray is a Big Blow to Ethiopian Prime Minister
The counterattack of the Tigrayan forces has come as a big blow for Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed. He had declared a victory last November after the Ethiopian military ran over the city. Since then, the conflicting situation has killed thousands and it has made millions leave the city.
Besides, there is a situation of famine and Ethiopia’s global reputed has reduced to nothing. Within a week’s retaliatory efforts by the Tigrayan forces, the Ethiopian military announced a ceasefire.
And it exited the city where people are now celebrating on roads with fireworks. A UN official has also confirmed the departure of the Ethiopian military.
Conflict is Not Over Yet
Getachew Reda, a spokesperson for the regional government of Tigra, declared that the conflict would continue. He said its Tigrayan forces had broken the backbone of the Ethiopian military in a fight involving nine divisions to take back the capital.
Declaring the Ethiopian forces of the criminal mindset, he said the fight is far from over. And their main motive is to degrade the capabilities of their enemies. Besides, he added there would be a celebratory mood in the city.
Deadly airstrikes from the Ethiopian government had killed at least 30 people in the city. Moreover, there are allegations of damage and looting against the Ethiopian military.
The regional spokesperson accused the retreating Ethiopian army of damaging critical infrastructure and looting banks while returning from Mekelle. He said it made them control the capital to prevent the damage caused by the enemy army.
