Residents want federal army to stop the advance of TPLF forces
Calls mount for the intervention of the federal army to prevent the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) from advancing into Afar as fighting rages in the region, causing a humanitarian crisis.
Residents of Afar are complaining the federal government has given little attention to the renewed conflict in the region, following a new wave of attacks by TPLF led forces.
Last week, President Sahlework Zewde and UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed visited Afar Region. Both met with the president of the region and clan leaders, among others.
It was a visit akin with the fighting in Afar, a situation that led to the blockade of the delivery of humanitarian supplies into Tigray by road, via Semera-Abala-Mekelle, which has not been possible since 15 December 15, 2021, according to UN-OCHA.
According to people whom The Reporter talked to, heavy fighting has been going on in the region despite the government’s orders to halt their advance into the Tigray region and hold their positions.
This has created a huge humanitarian crisis in the region, especially in the remote north eastern part of the region, where the fighting is ongoing. The Afar Regional Government Communications Affairs Bureau also confirmed that the TPLF launched an attack on the region.
The regional spokesperson confirmed an active war in five woredas (districts) of Kilbet Rasu zone, previously Zone Two.
The regional spokesperson, Ahmed Keloyta told The Reporter that the TPLF’s expansion was aimed at capturing key strategic locations like Serdo, to intercept the main road connecting the country to ports in Djibouti.
According to Ahmed, the Afar security forces, both the paramilitary and local militia are battling to repel the TPLF army.
“The enemy already lost more than 3,000 fighters in Berhale woreda. The fighting to defend Koneba, Megale and Abala areas still continue. Our forces are on the defensive,” said Ahmed.
Ahmed believes that the TPLF would be defeated sooner, telling The Reporter that Serdo, a key strategic town on the main Djibouti-Semera road, still remains out of reach for the TPLF.
The total number of displaced people, as a result of the war in the north, is reaching more than 400,000 in the region. Ahmed indicated that the regional government desperately needs urgent support from the federal government and aid agencies for the reconstruction work in the region.
Residents of the region complained that the conflict in the region and the advances by the TPLF is being given no or little attention by the federal government.
Allo Yayo, who coordinates charity work and frequently travels to active war zones, said the TPLF still controls large areas in Abala, Erebti, Koneba and Megale woredas.
“I witnessed TPLF forces’ active movement within a radius of less than 140 kilometers to the strategic Serdo town,” said Allo.
He expressed his concerns saying “If the federal government and the rest of Ethiopia’s regional states continue to turn a blind eye, the result will be devastating.” According to him, the TPLF’s campaign is to capture the strategic Serdo town crossing through zones four and five.
“Three days ago, we travelled to zone two areas to distribute food aid to 1,300 displaced households. We found people who flew from Megale woreda. They told us their cattle and camels had been looted and their homes burnt by TPLF forces. I found a single mother who does not even know the whereabouts of her five children,” Allo said.
“When the TPLF’s strike came in the middle of the night with heavy artilleries, everyone began running instinctively to save their lives in every direction. Many family members are separated,” Allo added.
Allo is of the view that if the federal government and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) fail to provide support in the coming days, the TPLF’s advance may continue to surge deep into the region. And that only the Afar militia and Special Forces are fighting in the frontlines.
Similarly, according to residents of Kobo and Woldiya towns, there is a growing tension in the fear of new conflicts breaking out in the Raya front. According to these sources, many people are forced to leave their homes and flee to neighboring Amhara region following the TPLF’s continuous insurgency in recent weeks.
According to The Reporter’s sources, there is an escalated threat and tension in Waja and Timuga areas bordering the Tigray and Amhara regions.
Kedir Aden, who fled from Waja to Raya Kobo town, said the TPLF forces intensified detentions, lootings and killings in Raya areas, which currently are under the Tigray administrative region. He also said there is an increased military activity in the Raya front forcing a large number of people to flee to neighboring Raya towns.
Kedir estimates that currently more than 30,000 internally displace people (IDPS) reside in camps in Kobo town.
“I have been staying in school classrooms for the last eight months. I left for Waja in fear of the TPLF’s persecution. The situation is worse for those who raised the Raya identity question. Mass arrest and tortures are common on those refusing to support the TPLF,” Kedir said.
A source who wants to remain anonymous for the safety of his wife and children, said he escaped from Alamata town because of death threats.
He said “Civilians are uncertain to secure their rights to live, let alone those who raise the Raya question in areas controlled by the TPLF forces.”
The TPLF fighters are launching attacks to evacuate people from Tigray administered Raya areas, according to the same source.
