Photo credit: ABC News
An official in Tigray’s new federal-backed administration urged rebel fighters to lay down their weapons Friday, hours after a rebel commander called for continued resistance despite losing the northern Ethiopian region’s capital.
The Associated Press reports that the calls came nearly three weeks after rebels trying to overthrow the government lost control of Mekele, Tigray’s capital. Government-allied fighters entered Mekele on Oct. 4 after the Tigray People’s Liberation Front withdrew.
Redae Halefom Woldeselassie, the caretaker administration’s chief executive for political and public mobilization, said rebel forces were collapsing and urged fighters to enter a disarmament and reintegration program.
‘This is not the time for settling scores; I call upon you to return to your homes and continue your civilian duties,” he said.
He dismissed the prospect of rebels retaking the city and portrayed the conflict as serving a small group of leaders rather than the people of Tigray.
Hours later, Lt. Gen. Fisseha Kidanu, who was identified in a television broadcast as commander of the Tigray army, pledged to reverse recent military activities.
Fisseha urged attacks on government-held positions despite his opponents’ advantages in drones and heavy weapons. The TPLF has also claimed to have inflicted heavy losses on government forces.
