Flights to Ethiopia’s Tigray Region Suspended as Clashes Erupt

Clashes between federal and Tigrayan forces have erupted in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, prompting the suspension of flights, security and diplomatic sources told AFP on Thursday.

Hostilities broke out in recent days in Tsemlet, western Tigray, an area claimed by forces from the neighboring Amhara region who have refused to withdraw despite a peace agreement signed in Pretoria at the end of 2022 requiring them to do so. “The situation appears to be deteriorating,” the security source said.

A diplomatic source who spoke on condition of anonymity told AFP that the Tigray forces were facing “the ENDF (Ethiopian army) alongside Amhara militias”.

“The clashes were confirmed in recent days, but today we don’t know the situation,” the source added.

The sources confirmed the suspension of flights to Tigray, which are operated by Ethiopian Airlines, the fully state-owned carrier and the only airline serving the northern region. (AFP)