Thousands of civilians are believed to have died since Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched a military operation against leaders in the Tigray region. CNN has previously reported that soldiers from neighboring Eritrea have perpetrated many extrajudicial killings, assaults and human rights abuses in the Tigray region.
Following the release of the investigations, Ethiopia has come under pressure from the United States to prevent further violence.
U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken spoke with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday, “to underscore U.S. concern about the humanitarian and human rights crisis in the Tigray region in Ethiopia,” according to the Department of State.
“Noting the growing number of credible reports of atrocities, human rights violations and abuses, the secretary urged the Ethiopian government to take immediate and concrete measures to protect civilians, including refugees, and prevent further violence. Blinken pressed for an immediate end to hostilities and the withdrawal of Tigray’s external forces, including Amhara’s regional security forces and Eritrean troops, “a reading of the call said.
“It must be clear that these issues are the sole responsibility of the Ethiopian government, which, as a sovereign nation, is responsible for deploying the necessary structures and means of security to ensure the rule of law in all corners of its borders.” , explains the ministry. he said in a statement.
In a rare and exclusive interview with CNN, Debretsion Gebremichael, president of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), called for an independent investigation into alleged murders, rapes and violence, including those revealed in the CNN investigation.
Eyewitnesses told CNN that a group of Eritrean soldiers opened fire in November on Maryam Dengelat Church in the village of Dengelat, east of Tigray, while hundreds of congregants celebrated Mass. Dozens of people died during three days of chaos, with soldiers killing local residents, displaced people and pilgrims, they said.
Amnesty International on Friday accused its report that Eritrean forces killed hundreds of unarmed civilians in the city of Axum in November through bombings and indiscriminate shootings and extrajudicial killings, in what the human rights organization said could constitute a crime against humanity.
The Eritrean government has denied involvement in the atrocities reported by Amnesty, but has yet to respond to a request for comment from CNN in connection with the Dengelat massacre.
CNN’s Barbara Arvanitidis, Nima Elbagir, Eliza Mackintosh, Bethlehem Feleke, Katie Polglase, and Gianluca Mezzofiore contributed to this report.