Control of Mekelle Airport by TPLF Faction and Rising Tensions in Tigray
The TPLF faction under Debretsion Gebremicael reportedly controls Mekelle’s airport, while Getachew Reda is rumored to have fled to Addis Ababa. Reda claims military actions against civilians are occurring, with many casualties. Eritrea’s Minister of Information, Yemane Gebremeskel, criticized Tsadkan Gebretensae’s view on potential warfare, emphasizing that Tigray should not be a battleground. Rising accusations of war-mongering contribute to escalating tensions.
Recent reports from TesfaNews indicate that the TPLF faction led by Debretsion Gebremicael has gained control over the Alula Aba Nega Airport in Mekelle. It has also been reported that Getachew Reda has relocated to Addis Ababa, although Borkena has not been able to verify this information through independent sources.
Getachew Reda took to social media on Tuesday to announce that military actions by Debretsion’s generals against civilians have been escalating. He claimed that civilians in Adigudom and parts of Mekelle were subjected to arbitrary arrests and gunfire, resulting in numerous casualties. Moreover, he implied the involvement of “external forces” in efforts against the Interim government.
The Ethiopian government has remained silent regarding the latest developments unfolding in the Tigray region. Additionally, Yemane Gebremeskel, Eritrea’s Minister for Information, responded critically to Tsadkan Gebretensae’s recent article in African Report, which suggested the possibility of imminent warfare between Eritrea and Ethiopia, asserting that Tigray should not serve as the battlefield.
Yemane further criticized Tsadkan, describing him as a supporter of a long-standing aggressive agenda toward Eritrea and the unjust annexation of Eritrea’s Assab port. Recent accusations from Eritrea towards Ethiopia regarding war-mongering have added to the heated rhetoric, amplifying the tensions between the neighboring countries.
In his response, Yemane Gebremeskel pointed out that Tsadkan inadvertently exposes his knowledge of a war agenda and criticized his narrative of continuous enmity, indicating that it emanates from a deeply flawed perspective. Yemane’s remarks reflect the growing uncertainties in the Horn of Africa regarding peace and stability.
These developments highlight the ongoing tensions between various factions in Ethiopia, particularly in Tigray, and the delicate relationship between Eritrea and Ethiopia. The unconfirmed reports about military actions and civilian casualties underscore the urgency of addressing the humanitarian situation, while the sharp exchanges between governmental officials reflect deeper political conflicts in the region.
Original Source: borkena.com
