The United Nations has reported people fleeing the city, but communications and transport links remain severed to Tigray, and its not clear how many people in Mekele received the warnings in time
A survivor of the November 9 Mai Kadra massacre being treated at the Gondar University Hospital, in Gondar. Pic/AFP
Ethiopia's prime minister said on Thursday the army has been ordered to move on the embattled Tigray regional capital after his 72-hour ultimatum ended for Tigray leaders to surrender, and he warned its half-million residents to stay indoors and disarm.
The military offensive "has reached its final stage" after three weeks of fighting, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office said. That means tanks and other weaponry can close in on Mekele, whose residents had been warned of "no mercy" if they didn't move away from Tigray leaders in time.
ADVERTISEMENT
That caused international alarm as rights groups said such wording could violate international law and put civilians in further danger. Abiy's statement asserted that thousands of Tigray militia and special forces surrendered during the 72-hour period that ended Wednesday. "We will take utmost care to protect civilians," the statement said.
The United Nations has reported people fleeing the city, but communications and transport links remain severed to Tigray, and it's not clear how many people in Mekele received the warnings in time. Tigray regional leaders couldn't immediately be reached. The international community is pleading for immediate de-escalation.
Keep scrolling to read more news
Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.
Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
