“Large-scale” military offensive begins in Ethiopia

Authorities in the ethnic region of Tigray and the Ethiopian government Wednesday traded blame for starting the new chapter of the fight. The offensive sets back mediation efforts for the conflict, which have been ongoing since November 2020. The Ethiopian government has said it is willing to resume negotiations, but that the African Union (AU) needs to mediate them. Tigray has criticized the AU’s efforts and demanded the resumption of telephone, banking, and other services for its six million occupants.

How did the conflict begin? In November 2020, Tigrayan forces attacked an Ethiopian military base after Tigray lost its preeminence in the Ethiopian central government. Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed then ordered a military response. 

Dig deeper: Read Onize Ohikere’s report in WORLD magazine about how residents of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo continue to face attacks.