Ethiopia: Abiy’s indiscriminate bombardment of Makkale University and historical sites in Tigray region

Araweelo News Network.

Addis Ababa(ANN)-The Ethiopian Federal Government’s airstrikes in the Tigrean region have caused damage to Makkale University and places of worship and historical sites.

Several people have been injured during airstrikes in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, according to a humanitarian source with knowledge of the situation who spoke anonymously to CNN.

Ethiopian federal forces have been at war with the regional government of Tigray, which borders Eritrea and Sudan, since the beginning of November, when Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced a military offensive including air strikes.

The conflict followed tension over Tigray’s unilateral decision to elect a regional administration against Abiy’s wishes. “Our operation aims to end the impunity that has prevailed for far too long and hold accountable individuals and groups under the laws of the land,” Abiy said at the time.

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There have since been “frequent bombings in the Tigray capital of Mekelle, including near a church and university,” the humanitarian source told CNN, adding that scores of people have been killed and injured in the region.

On the other hand University officials say the latest airstrikes have hit Mekele University in the capital of Ethiopia’s Tigray region, causing casualties.

Other shrines and civilian homes other than military bases were also targeted the bombers.

A senior university official confirmed to the Associated Press that it was not yet clear who was killed or injured in the Mekele airstrike.

Abiy’s government did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment. It has previously denied bombing civilian areas and accused Tigray local forces of sheltering military equipment in schools, mosques and churches.

On Wednesday, Redwan Hussein, the government spokesperson for Ethiopa’s state of emergency task force, told CNN that federal troops were closing in on Mekelle.

But Tigrean officials say they are still defending themselves against the invasion and not surrendering.

Protests continue in the United States and Europe, calling for an end to genocide in the Tegrey region.

Calls for a ceasefire have come from the United Nations, aid agencies, regional countries and the rest of the world, but Abiy’s government has turned a deaf ear to continued shelling of the Tigrean region.