“The next phases are the decisive part of the operation, which is to encircle Mekelle using tanks, finishing the battle on mountainous areas and advancing to the fields,” Colonel Dejene Tsegaye, a military spokesman, told the state-run Ethiopia Broadcasting Corporation. Both sides say federal forces have taken Adigrat, 116 kilometres (72 miles) north of Mekelle. Dejene said civilians in Mekelle, which has a population of half a million, should be aware of the danger. “So far, we were only attacking targets which the junta fighters were stationed but in the case of Mekelle it might be different,” he said, referring to the TPLF. “We want to send a message to the public in Mekelle to save themselves from any artillery attacks and free themselves from the junta.

Source: bd News24 November 22, 2020 07:41 UTC