Ethiopia says ‘options for peace’ still open despite alleged TPLF invasion

ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia’s federal government has accused the rebellious Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) of waging invasion in parts of Amhara regional state, but reiterated the country’s desire for a peaceful solution to the conflict.

In a statement this afternoon, the Government Communication Service (GCS) said the Tigray rebels have continued what he called ‘worn-out human wave strategy’ that the statement described as use of children and the elderly as human shield.

“The Government of Ethiopia has been valiantly defending the attacks launched by the TPLF via Eastern Amhara. The TPLF has continued utilizing its worn-out human wave strategy that places children, youth and the elderly people of Tigray as sacrificial lambs,” the government statement said.

“The invasion of Kobo and the surrounding areas by the TPLF on the Eastern side of the Amhara Region has not gone as the group planned, due to the concerted response effort of our heroic defense forces and the local communities. It has rather expanded its belligerence to other areas,” it added.

The statement accused the rebel group, which it says cannot survive without war, of launching “an invasion in the direction of Wag, Wolqait and our border areas with Sudan (Amhara Region)” and asserted that “Our heroic national defense forces are defending this invasion with full preparedness and resolve.”

The statement called on the international community to compel the TPLF in allowing peaceful settlement of the conflict and said that despite the continued attack, the government hasn’t yet closed its option for peaceful settlement of the conflict.

“The Government of Ethiopia while responding steadfastly to attacks launched by TPLF in various directions has still not closed off the options for peace,” it said.

“We continue to urge the international community to do what it can to pressure the belligerent group for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

“We call on the people of Tigray, who are our people, to free themselves from the suffering caused by the tyranny of TPLF and condemn the belligerence.”