UPDATE 1: Ethiopian crisis: Guterres 'shocked, saddened' by resuption of hostilities in Ethiopia
New York, US (PANA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says he is "saddened and shocked" at the resumption of hostilities between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and called for an immediate ceasefire.
Speaking to reporters, he said Ethiopians, Tigrayans, Amharas, Oromos, and Afars have already suffered too much in the war that started in November 2020.
"I am deeply shocked and saddened by the news of the resumption of hostilities in Ethiopia," he said.
"My strong appeal is for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for the resumption of peace talks between the government and the TPLF with, at the same time, the full guarantee of humanitarian access to people in need and the reestablishment of public services," Mr. Guterres said.
Ethiopia announced on Wednesday that its Air Force has shot down a plane that was carrying weapons to the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) as the fighting between the government and the regional government flares up again.
The Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) quoted the Ethiopian Ministry of Defence as saying that "a plane that was carrying weapons for the terrorist group TPLF and violated Ethiopian airspace and entered the country through Sudan was shot down by the Ethiopian air force."
"The Federal Government of #Ethiopia has been taking steps to bring the war in the northern part of Ethiopia to a peaceful conclusion. However, the terrorist organization, as well as its foreign backers, have expressed a strong desire to continue fighting," EBC the Federal Government Communcation Service as saying in a tweet.
However, a senior TPLF leader, Getachew Reda, has denied the claim.
A senior Ethiopian National Defence Force member, Major General Tesfaye Ayalew, is quoted by the state-owned Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) as saying the Ethiopian Air Force shot it down at 10 pm on Tuesday.
"All of the Ethiopia security forces are on alert more than ever ready to protect the country’s sovereignty and citizens peace and security from terrorist attacks," he added.
According to Major General Tesfaye, the TPLF had been making preparations for the past several months and mobilising its fighters to adjacent areas during the past two weeks.
It has also been carrying out provocative attacks.
"Ignoring all the peace alternatives extended by the government, the group launched attacks this morning at 5 am on the eastern front in Bisober, Zobel Mountain, and Wetwet," Major General Tesfaye revealed.
With these attacks the group has violated the ceasefire and its combatants are suffering from the huge fire of the security forces, he added.
Major General Tesfaye further underscored that the National Defense Force is fully prepared to take "final measures against the terrorist group", unless it abandons its dream to destroy the country and returns to the peaceful alternative,
The conflict between the Addis Ababa government and TPLF started on 4 November 2020 when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered a military offensive after TPLF forces attacked a federal army base.
Fighting has sparked massive displacement, widespread destruction of livelihoods and infrastructure, loss of employment and a huge humanitarian crisis.
Ethiopia declared a unilateral ceasefire in June 2021 but tension has remained between the two sides.
-0- PANA MA 24Aug2022
