Ethiopian PM Says Federal Army Now In Control Of Tigray

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has announced the completion of military operations in the country’s northern Tigray region after the army claimed control of the regional capital, declaring victory in a three-week-old conflict that has left many dead. 

“I am pleased to share that we have completed and ceased the military operations in the #Tigray region,” Abiy said in a tweet on Saturday night.

After securing control of western Tigray and giving TPLF leaders a 72-hour ultimatum to surrender, Abiy announced on Thursday he had ordered a “final offensive” against pro-TPLF forces in the regional capital, Mekele, a city of half a million.

AFP reports that global concern mounted over a possible bloodbath, and heavy shelling was reported in Mekele earlier on Saturday.

Read also: UN Security Council Holds First Talks Over Ethiopia Unrest

General Berhanu Jula, the Ethiopian army chief, on Saturday night said in a statement that his forces “completely controlled” Mekele.

A government statement specified that federal forces had been able to “take control of the airport, public institutions, the regional administration office and other critical facilities”.

Berhanu said his troops were now “hunting for members of the TPLF junta that are in hiding”.

There was no immediate response from the TPLF.