US senator criticizes Ethiopian military airstrikes in Tigray's capital

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WASHINGTON, USA - The ongoing airstrikes within Mekelle, the regional administrative capital of Tigray, have raised concerns globally, with a top US senator calling for an immediate end of hostilities between the two conflicting teams.

On Wednesday, the Ethiopian National Defense Forces [ENDF] launched the third airstrike in Mekelle amid criticisms from stakeholders who want the conflict to be solved amicably. The airstrike targeted Tigray Defense Forces [TDF].

Maryland Senator Ben Cardin, decried the ongoing airstrikes, noting that children and women were the most affected. Last week's airstrike killed three innocent children according to reports by aid agencies.

"I am deeply concerned over the escalation of hostilities in northern Ethiopia and saddened that children are among the casualties in recent airstrikes in the Tigray region. This escalation risks exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis," he said.

"I call on all parties involved to ensure the protection of civilians and urge all parties to cease hostilities and open dialogue in good faith," added the veteran US senator, who previously served in the Foreign Relations Committee.

Ethiopia Current Issues Fact Check stated that Wednesday’s airstrikes by the National Defense Forces have targeted terrorist TDF's arms manufacturing and armament repair sites. However, the TDF insisted that the federal army was targeting innocent civilians.

The ENDF’s surgical operations are aimed at destroying alleged illegal caches of heavy weaponry and armaments at selected sites, it is indicated. Abiy Ahmed has struggled to contain the resistance in Tigray, which had caused about mass displacement of people and thousands of deaths.

Getachew Reda, the spokesperson of TDF, noted that the Tigray army has been making gains ever since ENDF launched that "Final Offensive" about a fortnight ago. According to him, the TDF has managed to capture three strategic towns.

"The Military Command of the Tigray Armed Forces has announced that our forces have taken control of the towns of Bisitima, Hayk, and the strategic commanding heights of Marye, putting Dessie and Kombolcha within artillery range. Stay tuned for more announcements," he said.

Meanwhile, health workers in Tigray held a protest at the UN office in Mekelle, condemning the deaths of civilians due to lack of medicine and food. The rally was happened one day before the ENDF air raids inside and outside Mekelle Monday as the government pressed a new offensive.

GAROWE ONLINE

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