Ethiopian Opposition Forces Take Control of Abala Town in Afar
Ethiopian opposition forces have taken control of Abala town in Afar region. Since last night fighting has been underway between opposition and government forces in Afar and Amhara regions.
Afar National Unity Revolutionary Front (ANURF), which is part of opposition’s Alliance for Survival (Tibibir Lelwona), has released pictures and videos from Abala town. In the videos, ANURF fighters can be seen inside Abala town, addressing the town residents.
Abala town is a strategic town located on Afar Tigray border. ANURF ( also called Afar Ugugumo) is led by Ibrahim Osman, former Ethiopian Afar regional government minister. Last year, Ibrahim Osman fled to Eritrea. Backed by Eritrean government, Ibrahim Osman reorganized Afar Ugugumo. Last week, Tibibir Lelwona announced the start of armed struggle to remove Ethiopian federal government. ANURF and 6 other armed groups are part of the opposition alliance.
Since last night, clashes have been intensifying between opposition alliance and Ethiopian federal government forces in Amhara and Afar regions. In Amhara region, Fano militias and Tigray fighters are carrying out joint attacks on government forces. Dessie-Woldia road has been blocked since last night because of heavy clashes in the Amhara region.
Meanwhile Tigray regional government released an official statement today about start of war. The Tigray government stated that ” in response to genocidal invasion launched by Ethiopian federal government, Tigray forces have launched a defensive campaign”. The statement by Tigray regional government shows that a full blown war between Ethiopian federal forces and opposition forces have erupted in Ethiopia.
