Ethiopia says Eritrean troops have begun withdrawing from Tigray

NAIROBI (Reuters) – Eritrean forces have begun withdrawing from the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, Ethiopia’s foreign ministry said after growing reports of rights abuses including rape, looting and killing of civilians.

The United States, Germany, France and other G7 countries on Friday called for a speedy, unconditional and verifiable withdrawal of Eritrean soldiers, followed by a political process acceptable to all Ethiopians.

In a reply released Saturday afternoon through the Foreign Ministry, Ethiopia said the statement by G7 foreign ministers had not recognized the key measures taken to meet the region’s needs.

“Eritrean troops who had crossed the border when they were provoked by the TPLF have now begun evacuating and the Ethiopian National Defense Force has taken over surveillance of the national border,” he said in a statement, referring to the Front of ‘Liberation of the Tigray People.

Electrical and telephone connections to Tigray have fallen over the past four days, making it difficult to verify Eritrea’s withdrawal. Reuters reporters in Tigray last month saw Eritrean soldiers in major cities and major highways, far beyond the border area.

For months, Eritrea and Ethiopia denied the presence of Eritrean troops despite dozens of eyewitnesses. On March 23, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed acknowledged his presence following rising international pressure. Eritrea has not yet recognized that its soldiers are in Ethiopia.

Fighting erupted in Tigray in early November after forces loyal to the then ruling party there (the TPLF) attacked army bases throughout the region. In late November, the TPLF withdrew from the regional capital Mekelle and the Ethiopian government declared victory.

Thousands of people died in the conflict, hundreds of thousands have been forced out of their homes and there is a shortage of food, water and medicine in the region. The government says most fighting has ceased, but there are still isolated shooting incidents.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said this week that “clashes and ambushes took place in most parts of the region.” Last month, an aid organization also witnessed the aftermath of an ambush on a military convoy and extrajudicial executions of civilians immediately afterwards on a main road.

The Foreign Ministry said full access to the region has now been granted to humanitarian organizations.

OCHA said on its website: “In parts of the south and south-east of Tigray, for example, access has been restricted for more than a month and the road from Alamata to Mekelle remains closed, blocking operations humanitarian aid in the area “.

The Foreign Ministry said it would soon begin a joint investigation with external experts into alleged human rights violations and urged donors to send more food and medical help.