Ethiopia fighting escalates in Tigray, killing 52 civilians, medic tells BBC

At least 52 civilians were killed in three days of heavy fighting around Alamata in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, a doctor at Alamata General Hospital told the BBC. The medic said fighting in and around the town from Saturday to Monday involved heavy explosives and artillery fire, some striking residential homes.

Town residents told the BBC they could not determine who carried out the attacks, which hit areas away from the main road: near the Catholic mission, the bridge at the entrance to Alamata from Waja, and near a mosque. Those killed included children as young as three days old, mothers and cattle herders.

Government troops have taken control of Alamata and are reportedly advancing north towards Mekelle. Fighting has also spread to the neighbouring Afar region, where fighters captured the town of Erebti; a push toward Afdera met strong resistance from the federal army and allied Afar forces.

Earlier this month the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) joined six other armed movements to form a seven-member alliance seeking to topple the Addis Ababa government. MSF said more than 420 war-wounded were treated in Korem and Alamata hospitals from 22 to 25 September, and more than 300 reached Suhul hospital in Shire by 25 September. The Afar Pastoralist Development Association estimates up to 150,000 people have been displaced in Afar. Chief of Staff Field Marshal Birhanu Jula accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of backing the armed groups; all deny it. The BBC says cut communications prevent it from reporting from Tigray.