(CNN) The capital of Ethiopia's Tigray region, Mekelle, is under fierce bombardment, a humanitarian source on the ground and eyewitnesses who have fled the city told CNN on Saturday. The leader of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) Debretsion Gebremichael also told Reuters in a text message on Saturday Mekelle was under "heavy bombardment." A communications blackout in the region has made reporting on claims from both sides difficult. International leaders have repeatedly expressed grave concern for the disruption of humanitarian access and for violence against civilians during fighting in Mekelle. About half a million residents live in Mekelle, half of whom are children, according to UNICEF.

Source: The Nation November 28, 2020 14:04 UTC