By John Ikani
Ethiopian forces have recaptured several towns from Tigrayan rebels including Kobo and Woldiya in the north, the Government announced on Saturday, as fierce fighting raged in the 13-month war that has left thousands dead.
The Government communication service on Saturday said pro-Abiy forces “have managed to fully control Sanqa, Sirinqa, as well as the cities of Waldia, Hara, Gobiye, Robit and Kobo”.
“The enemy force which escaped from destruction and was fleeing… is being followed by our allied forces”, it said in a statement on its Facebook page.
Starting late October, the two sides have each claimed major territorial advances with several key cities apparently changing hands in the weeks since.
Communications have been cut in the conflict zone and access for journalists is restricted, making it difficult to verify battlefield claims.
The conflict between forces loyal to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) rebel group has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis and prompted the UN’s top rights body to order an international probe into alleged abuses.
Fighting broke out over a year ago between government troops and the TPLF, which dominated Ethiopia for decades and now controls most of Tigray.
Mr Abiy sent troops into the Tigray region to quash the TPLF after he said it had attacked army camps.
But in June this year, the rebels mounted a comeback, recapturing most of Tigray and advancing into the neighbouring regions of Amhara and Afar.
Fears of the rebels approaching Addis Ababa led several countries, including the US and UK, to urge their citizens to leave Ethiopia last month.
Since then, the federal army has reportedly retaken a number of key town on the road leading to the capital.
