Claims by all sides have been impossible to verify because phone and internet connections to the region are down and access to the area is tightly controlled. Abiy’s office said authorities had begun distributing aid in areas under the control of the federal government in the Tigray region. African envoys went to Ethiopia to plead for peace on Wednesday, hours before the ultimatum was to expire. The government’s warning did not absolve it of the duty to protect civilians when conducting military operations in the city of Mekelle, the watchdog said. “We are also concerned by reports that the TPLF has deployed its forces in heavily populated areas.

Source: bd News24 November 26, 2020 10:52 UTC