Tigray police has dismantled southern Tigray government. The operation to remove southern Tigray leadership was launched on Monday.
Southern Tigray has been under the control of administration which is opposed to Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), Tigray’s largest and ruling party. The southern Tigray government, led by chief administrator Haftu Kiros, is allegedly backed by former President of Tigray Getachew Reda. Getachew Reda and his associates were expelled from TPLF last year.
On Monday, Tigray police and militia members entered Maichew, Mehoni and Alamata towns. Zonal administrator Haftu Kiros left his office. Tigray forces seized Maichew mayor office and other main government offices.
Reportedly Tigray forces encircled a camp of federal police officials in Alamata city, telling them to leave the area.
Dismantlement of southern Tigray government is set to increase tensions between Tigray ruling elite and federal government of Ethiopia. Since former President Getachew Reda’s removal from Tigray in March this year, TPLF and Tigray military have been replacing pro Getachew Reda local governments with TPLF backed administration.
