Tigray Interim President, Getachew Reda, today announced the withdrawal of Tigray fighters from 2 villages in southern zone.
“The Tigray Interim Administration has decided to pull Tigrayan Forces out of Garjale and BaqloManaqia villages near Alamata to honor its understanding with the federal government & Amhara administration to make it easier for Tigrayan IDPs to return as part of the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement. Similar moves to return more Tigrayan IDPs are in the pipeline,” he wrote in a social media post.
Garjale is situated on Alamata-Mehoni road. More than a month ago, Tigray fighters entered southern zone which led to clashes between Tigray and Amhara militia members near Gerjale and other places in the southern zone. Southern zone was part of Tigray before the start of war in northern Ethiopia in November 2020. It changed hands several times between Tigray and Amhara administration. Both Amhara and Tigray regional states have their claims to the zone.
Last month, Tigray fighters, aided by federal forces, entered southern zone and took control of a large part of the zone. Only Alamata city was not under Tigray control. It was being administered by Ethiopian national defense force. But reportedly yesterday hundreds of Tigray fighters took control of Alamata city too. Now almost entire southern zone is under Tigray control.
The withdrawal of Tigray fighters from only 2 villages in southern zone seems to be an attempt to make international community believe that Tigray forces are not deployed in southern zone. But reports from the ground indicate that Tigray fighters have retaken southern zone. They are issuing kebele Identification cards and restoring Tigray administration in the area. In coming days, Internally Displaced Person are expected to return to their homes in southern zone.
Amhara provisional government in southern zone was dismantled by Tigray fighters and Ethiopian federal troops last month. Amhara militias fled the area. More than 50,000 Amhara residents of the area also fled towards Sekota and Kobo cities.
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