TPLF claims to have killed 500 soldiers near Aksum
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Africanews
The TPLF claims to have killed 500 Ethiopian soldiers and wounded 800 others in fighting near Aksum, in Tigray. The toll, which has not been independently verified, follows weeks of clashes raising fears of a new major war in northern Ethiopia, according to Africanews.
The TPLF claims to have killed 500 soldiers and wounded 800 others in fighting with Ethiopian federal forces and their allied militias on Saturday 31 October near Aksum, in the Tigray region. The rebel group also says it captured territory and seized weapons, ammunition, food and medical equipment, according to Africanews.
The Ethiopian government has not commented on the toll, which could not be independently verified. The clashes follow several weeks of fighting between the TPLF and federal forces, raising fears of a return to full-scale conflict in northern Ethiopia.
The renewed hostilities are taking place in a region already devastated by the Tigray war, fought from 2020 to 2022 and marked by 600,000 to 800,000 deaths and the displacement of millions of people. Ethiopia also accuses neighbouring Eritrea of supporting armed groups in Tigray, while Sudan says 70 drone attacks were launched from Ethiopian territory between February and October, killing or injuring hundreds of civilians and soldiers.
The fighting extends the offensive launched after the Ethiopian army captured Mekelle on 4 October, and follows the TPLF leader’s claims on 22 October that clashes were continuing in Tigray. TPLF leader says his troops are still fighting in Tigray.
