UN alarmed by 'overwhelming' reports of killings of Eritreans refugees in Tigray

he of United Nations refugee ncy (UNHCR) on December 12 said that he is “deeply alarmed” by “overwhelming” reports of Eritrean refugees in Ethiopian region of Tigray being killed, abducted and forcibly returned to Eritrea. In a statement, Filippo Grandi said that if such acts were confirmed, it would be a major break of international law. He ded that forced return of Eritrean refugees to se camps was also completely unacceptable. 

Grandi said, “It is vital that Eritrean refugees be able to move to safe locations, and receive protection and assistance wherever possible, including outside of Tigray, given traumatic events y report to have witnessed or survived”. 

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Ethiopian forces have been battling Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in region since early vember. government h said that it is in control of Tigray and conflict is over. However, TPLF said y are still fighting on various fronts. 

Earlier this week, Ethiopian government said that it was returning Eritrean refugees who h fled to capital dis Ababa from camps in Tigray. According to BBC, almost 100,000 Eritrean refugees have been living in camps in Tigray. y h fled political persecution and compulsory military service, long before current conflict. government informed that a large number of misinformed refugees are moving out in an irregular manner. y ded that government is safely returning those refugees to ir respective camps. 

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'Full command' of Tigray

military confrontation in region sparked after forces of ruling TPLF party attacked a military base of federal forces on vember 4, following which, Ethiopian army launched an offensive. On vember 28, in an official anuncement, Ethiopia’s army asserted that Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF's) military operations have concluded with government's "full command" of Tigray, ding, ENDF h mand to rescue thousands of rrn Command officers held captive by TPLF and h taken control of rrn Command camp.

TPLF’s repeated military offensives against Ethiopia's ally led to regional instability in Horn of Africa region. Since conflict began earlier this month, telephone and internet lines in regional state capital of Tigray h been discontinued. As Ethiopian army entered Tigray, Maj. Gen. Hassan Ibrahim warned that his "armed forces officers will be tasked to hunt down and capture se criminals one by one." 

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