Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday announced the end of a three-day deadline his government had given for the Tigray Special Forces and militia to surrender to federal forces.
“The call for the Tigray Special Forces and militia to save themselves and the people around them, rather than becoming a means for TPLF’s evil goal has come to an end, the Prime Minister said in a Facebook post.
The warning comes as federal forces has encircle Mekele city, the seat of the Tigrayan government a 100 km radius/
They are awaiting orders from the PM who is the commander in chief of the armed forces to advance on TPLF troops.
In a message conveyed in the Tigrayan language which is widely spoken in the Tigray region three days ago, Abiy called on soldiers loyal to the Tigrayan government toavoid further bloodshed and give themselves up.
Following the expiration of the 72 hour deadline, final and decisive law enforcement operations will be taken in the coming days, he warned.
The Prime Minister also extended his gratitude to those who took advantage of the call for their responsible decision to surrender to federal forces and save their people.
The war in northern Ethiopia started on November 4 after TPLF forces launched what they called “blistering attack” on military bases of the northern command post as soldiers there were sleeping.
Hundreds of Ethiopian soldiers are believed to have been killed and thousands taken prisoner.
MG/as/APA