UN agencies call for civilian protection in Tigray

United Nations on Tuesday called for protection of civilians in Tigray as Ethiopia’s prime minister declared “ final and crucial” military operation will launch in coming days against government of country’s rebellious Tigray region.

UN ncies warn of a “full-scale humanitarian crisis” with refugees fleeing and people in Tigray starting to go hungry.

In a warning to Americans still in Tigray region, U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia said those who can't leave safely “are vised to shelter in place.”

More than 1,000 citizens of various foreign countries are estimated to be trapped.

Some 4,000 refugees keep arriving every day, a “very rapid” rate, U.N. refugee ncy spokesman Babar Baloch told reporters in Geneva.

Inside Tigray region, cut off from world with ros and airports closed, food and fuel and medical supplies are running desperately short.

“Our partners warn that supplies will soon be exhausted, putting millions at risk of food insecurity and disease,” spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Alarmed African neighbors including Uganda and Kenya are calling for a peaceful resolution, but Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government regards Tigray regional government as illegal after it defiantly held a local election in September.

Tigray regional government objects to postponement of national elections until next year because of COVID-19 pandemic and considers Abiy's federal government illegal, saying its mandate has expired.