The announcement comes days after the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) rebel group declared a retreat to their Tigray stronghold, and signals a pause in fighting following a series of battlefield victories claimed by the government. "The Ethiopian government has decided not to command its forces to further advance into the Tigray region," it said in the statement shared on Twitter. The government has dismissed Monday's withdrawal announcement by the TPLF as a cover-up for military setbacks. The war broke out in November last year when Abiy sent troops into Tigray to topple the TPLF, accusing its fighters of attacking army camps. He vowed a swift victory, but the TPLF mounted a shock comeback, recapturing most of Tigray by June and then advancing into Afar and Amhara.

Source: Ethiopian News December 25, 2021 17:01 UTC