NAIROBI / ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopia’s military and allied militiamen claimed Monday to have captured the strategic southern Tigray town of Alamata, turning the tables after a TPLF-led offensive shattered the 2022 Pretoria peace deal last week, Reuters reported, as the army chief accused Sudan and Egypt of backing the rebels.
A pro-government militia posted video of soldiers waving Ethiopian flags in Alamata’s streets; Reuters could not immediately verify it. Two diplomatic sources said the town had fallen. Alamata is a supply hub about 120 km south of Mekelle. Field Marshal Birhanu Jula said federal forces were fighting groups “organised and allied to serve the interests of external forces,” naming Sudan, Egypt and Eritrea; Sudan’s army called the charge “baseless” and alleged the RSF receives support from Ethiopian territory. Egypt did not immediately comment.
TPLF fighters seized Erebti in Afar on Sunday and pushed toward Afdera, threatening the Djibouti trade corridor that carries most of Ethiopia’s imports, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. Phone and internet in Tigray remained down for a fourth day. U.N. chief António Guterres voiced alarm over drone use and civilian harm after a Sunday strike on Tigrai TV headquarters in Mekelle.
Sources: Reuters via ThePrint, Al Jazeera / AFP
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