Ethiopian Crisis: Ethiopian gov't denies claims tens of thousands killed in Tigray
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - Ethiopia has denied claims by three opposition parties that some 52,000 people have been killed in the fighting between the government defence force and troops loyal to the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
Three opposition parties in Tigray region on Tuesday claimed that Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers were carrying out widespread atrocities, but the Ethiopian Government in a statement on Wednesday denied the claims saying they are politically motivated.
Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) quoted the statement as saying that "reports of assessment of civilian casualties being circulated in various international media outlets are unsubstantiated and suffer from unfortunate political motives".
It said: "The Government of Ethiopia regrets any casualties to civilians during the law enforcement operations. Even one death of an innocent civilian is too many.
“The fact that we have not found ourselves with significant civilian causalities is a testament to the careful planning and professionalism of our defence forces."
The Ethiopian military launched an offensive against the Tigray regional administration on 4 November after the armed forces under the command of the Tigray state administration launched an offensive against federal government forces.
Human rights groups and the UN have criticised the Ethiopian authorities for their response to the humanitarian crisis in the country saying 12 weeks since the start of conflict in Tigray region, meaningful humanitarian operations have still not begun.
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) said on its website that aid organisations were unable to reach the central and western parts of the region, and two refugee camps were completely inaccessible.
"It is false to say that aid is increasingly getting through. Aid has only gone to the places with little conflict and more limited needs and is not keeping pace with the humanitarian crisis as it inevitably grows over time. Millions of women, children and men, including refugees, are in a truly desperate situation, suffering alone without aid or protection," Secretary General of the NRC Jan Egeland said.
-0- PANA MA/AR 3Feb2021
