Nov 28, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali has announced the end to the military operations in the northern Tigray region after the army said it has gained “full control” of the regional capital, Mekelle.
“I am pleased to share that we have completed and ceased the military operations in the Tigray region. Our focus now will be on rebuilding the region and providing humanitarian assistance while Federal Police apprehend the TPLF clique,” Abiy announced on Twitter.
In a statement he shared on Twitter, the Prime Minister, said the “Federal Police” will continue to apprehend TPLF criminals and bring them to the court of law.
I am pleased to share that we have completed and ceased the military operations in the #Tigray region.
Our focus now will be on rebuilding the region and providing humanitarian assistance while Federal Police apprehend the TPLF clique. #EthiopiaPrevails https://t.co/WrM2BAPCD6
— Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 (@AbiyAhmedAli) November 28, 2020
Abiy said that the army has secured the release of thousands of Northern Command officers who had been held hostage by the TPLF.
Mekelle under command of the National Defense Forces pic.twitter.com/rj8GbK3ii8
— Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 (@AbiyAhmedAli) November 28, 2020
The Prime minister thanked the people of the Tigray region for their support and cooperation.
He also said that the focus right now is on rebuilding the Tigray region and returning those who had fled home.
“The main operation is successfully concluded. We now have ahead of us the critical task of rebuilding what has been destroyed; repairing what has been damaged; returning those who have fled, with utmost priority of returning normalcy to the people of Tigray region,” Abiy said in the statement.
He also thanked the international community for the concern they have shown Ethiopia.
“The federal government appreciates the concern shown by the international community. And calls upon the friends of Ethiopia to join hands in rebuilding the Tigray region and giving its people the respite, humanitarian assistance and security they deserve,” the statement continued.
The leader of Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) forces, who have been fighting Ethiopian troops since Nov. 4, had earlier said the TPLF was not giving up.
“Their brutality can only add (to) our resolve to fight these invaders to the last,” TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael said in a message.
Asked by Reuters in a text message if that meant his forces will continue fighting, he replied: “Certainly. This is about defending our right to self-determination,” TPLF leader said.
Thousands of people are believed to have died during the fighting this month, and nearly 44,000 refugees have fled to neighbouring Sudan.
Tigray also borders the nation of Eritrea and the conflict has stirred concern about an escalation around the country of 115 million people.
