Tigray’s public diplomacy group has called for the immediate cessation of continued fighting in southern Tigray, describing the clashes as unnecessary and avoidable.
In a statement issued today, the group described the fighting as a confrontation “between two brothers”, saying it was unnecessary and could be resolved through dialogue. It urged all parties to immediately cease hostilities and refrain from what it described as “unnecessary acts that will hold this generation accountable in history.”
The group called on both sides to commit themselves to dialogue as a way to resolve the dispute peacefully. It also appealed to civil society organisations, media institutions, influential figures, religious leaders and local elders to put pressure on the fighting sides to reach a peaceful resolution.
It also urged government and non-governmental organisations to provide urgent humanitarian and medical assistance to communities affected by the violence, including care for wounded fighters.
The statement did not provide further details about the fighting. However, there have been reports of clashes between Tigray’s security forces and the newly established armed group known as Tigray Peace Force, which have been organizing in the neighboring Afar region. According to several reports, clashes have been ongoing for days in Wajerat woreda, in Tigray’s southern zone.
The call for de-escalation from the Tigray public diplomacy group comes amid growing security concerns in Tigray. Last week, clashes were also reported in northwestern Tigray between the Ethiopian National Defense Forces and Tigrayan forces. The fighting reportedly involved drone strikes and resulted in the death of at least one person and injured another, triggering renewed fears of a slide back into a full scale conflict.
The reported confrontations led to the suspension of air travel to and from Tigray for five consecutive days, further disrupting civilian movement, creating financial difficulties for the population and adding to uncertainty across the region. Flights later resumed after fighting between the ENDF and Tigrayan forces eased, though the situation remains fragile.
The clashes have drawn reactions from the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union and other international actors, who have expressed serious concern over the reported military confrontations and the rising tensions between the Federal government and Tigrayan forces. Several of them called for restraint and urged all parties to adhere to existing commitments aimed at preventing a return to war.
Meanwhile, the Tigray Interim Administration has remained silent on the reported clashes in southern Tigray involving the Afar-based Tigray Peace Force and Tigrayan forces, amid growing calls for restraint and de-escalation.