‘Large-scale’ fighting shatters year-long lull in Ethiopia’s Tigray

Ethiopian government soldiers ride in the back of a truck on a road near Agula, north of Mekele, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia on May 8, 2021. Authorities in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region alleged Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022 that Ethiopia's military launched a "large-scale" offensive for the first time in a year, while Ethiopia's military spokesman did not immediately respond to questions. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)
Ethiopian government soldiers ride in the back of a truck on a road near Agula, north of Mekele, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia on May 8, 2021. Authorities in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region alleged Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022 that Ethiopia's military launched a "large-scale" offensive for the first time in a year, while Ethiopia's military spokesman did not immediately respond to questions. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)

Ethiopia’s military has launched a “large-scale” offensive for the first time in a year in the country’s northern Tigray region, Tigray authorities allege today while the government counters that Tigray forces attacked first.

The renewed conflict in Tigray is a significant setback to mediation efforts and humanitarian work to reach millions of people starved of food and other needs.

The claims follows months of regrouping by one of Africa’s largest militaries. Ethiopia’s military this week warned the public against any reporting of troop movements.

The Tigray conflict began in November 2020, killing thousands of people in Africa’s second most populous country, and it calmed in recent months amid slow-moving mediation efforts. But last week, the spokeswoman for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed asserted to journalists that Tigray authorities were “refusing to accept peace talks.”

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