Panafrican News Agency

Ethiopian crisis: PM Abiy says victories recorded in the east and west to be repeated in the centre

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says the victories achieved in the east and west of the country will be repeated in the central parts.

The state-owned Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) said Abiy made made the remark during a meeting with the army at the third key front.

He said more towns and cities occupied by the rebels led by the "terrorist" Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) "will be liberated in operations that would be carried out soon".

ENA said the Prime Minister called on the people to get organised and prevent the invading terrorists from taking away anything it looted.

Abiy said: “The enemy has been defeated and is in disarray. The only option the enemy has now is to give back the properties it stole and surrender.”

He called for immediate restoration of administrations in areas liberated from TPLF.

Ethiopians are united and the morale of the army is high, ENA quoted him as saying.

The Government Communcation Service said on Wednesday that the Ethiopia's defence force had liberated the historic town of Lalibela and its international airport as fighting with rebels intensifies.

It said the united Ethiopian forces had liberated Lalibela town, where the World Heritage Rock-hewn Churches are located.

This, it said, is as a result of the successful "offensive being carried out against the enemy with the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who is also the Commander In-chief of the army".

The TPLF has said its forces have been marching on Addis Ababa, capaturing towns and cities.

There is no independent confirmation of the claims.

-0- PANA MA 2Dec2021