The Ethiopian Defense Force on Wednesday made calls to rebel Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) troops who would like to escape from TPLF’s captivity and move to liberated areas that are under the control of the Ethiopian forces.
The call came amid AU-led peace talks between TPLF and the Ethiopia government in South Africa and continuing fighting around Mekele, capital of Tigray region.
“The Defense force calls up on TPLF forces who are dispersed and would like to escape from TPLF and go to neighboring regions,” the Ethiopian Defense Force said in a statement.
It also said that the TPLF forces are surrendering on all battle fronts while others are in a state of confusion as to what they are supposed to do.
The Defense Force also announced that a directive is given to relevant bodies to take good care of TPLF forces when and if they are surrendering peacefully.
Ethiopian forces have made significant gains and controlled many towns and cities in the region. There is even an unconfirmed report that the fighting is now mostly in the Mekelle area. Some even claim that the Mekele airport is under Ethiopian forces.
However, the Ethiopian government did not confirm it. Nor did the TPLF do so.
TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichal, on Monday, appeared on the region’s TV for the first time in several weeks and vowed that “enemy forces” will be buried in Tigray soil and that his forces will win the war.
He also made pleas to ethnic Amhara people saying “we are one” and should not engage in fighting.
MG/abj/APA