Tensions in Tigray, Ethiopia, are escalating due to power struggles among rival factions. Residents fear the return of conflict after experiencing a devastating war from 2020 to 2022. With essential services and flights disrupted, many citizens are trying to escape amidst growing panic. The situation is aggravated by potential Eritrean military involvement, raising fears of renewed warfare.
Rising tensions in Tigray, Ethiopia, are prompting residents to flee as rival factions contest control over the region. The town hall in Mekele, the state capital, has reportedly been seized by Debretsion Gebremichael’s faction, which hopes to reinstate its preferred mayor. Residents remember the devastating Tigray war (2020-2022), which claimed up to 600,000 lives and fear worsening internal conflicts.
Political experts highlight an internal struggle between Getachew Reda, head of Tigray’s regional administration, and Debretsion, leading the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Many residents express deep concern about the escalation of violence. Solomon Hagos, a university lecturer, noted, “People are in terror that if armed conflict breaks out it will be worse than the war they endured.”
Air travel is currently challenging, as local residents urgently seek to leave the region; many flights are fully booked. Residents like Mihret, a 27-year-old, stated, “We were trapped in Mekele during the previous war; we do not want that to happen again.”
After reclaiming control of the municipality in Mekele, Debretsion’s faction has also taken over local radio stations. Tensions are compounded by potential Eritrean involvement, raising fears reminiscent of the severe Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict from 1998-2000, which resulted in thousands of deaths.
Formerly praised for peace efforts with Eritrea, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed now faces deteriorating relations. Recent security reports described armed Ethiopian forces moving toward the Afar region near Eritrea. Commenting on the precarious situation, General Tsadkan Gebretensae remarked, “A war between Ethiopia and Eritrea could break out at any moment.”
As fear mounts in Mekele, citizens rush to withdraw money from banks, worried political turbulence may disrupt basic services. Hagos shared, “Our people are exhausted. Our economy is devastated.” Residents are bracing for potential inflation and shortages due to the escalating political unrest.
The conflict in Tigray poses a severe threat to regional stability, as internal power struggles resurface amid fears of a renewed war. The possibility of external G Eritrean involvement further complicates the situation, adding to local despair. With memories of past horrors still fresh, residents are striving to escape potential violence and economic collapse, leading to mass panic in Mekele and its surroundings.
Original Source: www.citizen.co.za
