Ethiopia: Government and Rebels Blame Each Other for Violence in Tigray

Ethiopian authorities blame the Tigray People's Liberation Front for reigniting hostilities in the region, launching offensives against Afar and Amhara regions and taking control of the regional airport in Mekele. The Front, claiming to conduct a defensive war, denies responsibility and announced an alliance with six other armed groups to overthrow the Addis Ababa regime. The situation raises fears of escalation similar to the 2020-2022 conflict that caused around 600,000 deaths, with the international community calling for immediate de-escalation and dialogue.