ADDIS ABABA, Dec 8 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — The Ethiopian government says the “active phase” of military operations in Tigray is over, following the capture of the regional capital Mekelle.
Addis Ababa on Monday questioned the ability of the rebel administration to mount a guerrilla war, while a UN security team was reportedly shot at as they tried to enter the Shimelba refugee camp in Tigray.
“The criminal clique is thoroughly defeated and in disarray,” said a statement from the office of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, referring to the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the target of the Ethiopian army’s military campaign launched at the start of November.
The government’s claims of a lack of civilian casualties have been contradicted by humanitarian organisations, with the International Committee of the Red Cross previously warning about hospitals in Mekelle struggling to cope with the wounded.
Abiy’s government also published a video on Monday claiming the TPLF had used make-up to depict injuries to children as part of a “smear campaign”.
The five-minute presentation shared on social media and translated into English by the “Ethiopia State of Emergency Fact Check” state agency showed movie-style makeup techniques being applied to kids, claiming the aim of the TPLF was to share such images online to help turn public opinion against Ethiopia’s military operation.
TPLF leaders have said they are continuing to fight back against Ethiopian forces in areas around Mekelley.
Such reports contradict claims about the security situation advanced by the Ethiopian federal government, while other reports on casualties directly undermines the government account of events.
Access for humanitarian aid to Tigray remains a concern despite a deal between the UN and Ethiopian government to allow “unimpeded” access for relief.
A UN security team planning to visit an Eritrean refugee camp in the Tigray region was shot at and denied access, according to two diplomatic sources. — NNN-ALLAFRICA
