The federal government of Ethiopia has started military offensive in Tigray region’s capital Mekelle on Saturday after 72hrs surrender notice elapsed.
According to Tigray media, the city is under attacks by the federal forces and heavy shelling is ongoing. The Ethiopian government aims to capture the state capital of the rogue region.
“The Tigray regional state calls upon all who have a clear conscience, including the international community, to condemn the artillery and warplane attacks and massacres being committed,” the statement said.
Debretsion Gebremichael, leader of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), told Reuters news agency in a text message on Saturday that the city was under “heavy bombardment”.
More than three weeks of fierce fighting has left thousands dead “including many civilians as well as security forces”, the International Crisis Group said Friday.