Tigray rebels urged to disarm as commander vows to fight on

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 17:39 · Archive

A rebel commander has pledged to continue fighting in Tigray despite losing the regional capital Mekelle to government forces.

Government-allied fighters took control of Mekelle on 4 October after the Tigray People's Liberation Front, or TPLF, withdrew from the city. The loss came nearly three weeks before the conflicting calls for either disarmament or continued fighting.

Redae Halefom Woldeselassie, chief executive for political and public mobilization in Tigray's caretaker administration, said rebel forces were collapsing. 'This is not the time for settling scores, I call upon you to return to your homes and continue your civilian lives,' he said in Mekelle. He dismissed the prospect of the rebels retaking the city and portrayed the conflict as serving only a small group of leaders rather than the people of Tigray.

Hours earlier, Lt. Gen. Fisseha Kidanu, identified as commander of the Tigray army, pledged to reverse recent military setbacks. 'Local militias across the region — alongside all volunteers joining the resistance — are expected to engage the enemy,' he said on Tigray Broadcast Media. He urged attacks on government-held positions despite opponents' advantages in drones and heavy weapons. The TPLF has claimed heavy losses inflicted on government forces, though the Associated Press could not independently verify those claims.

How it is being reported

• Ethiopia's Tigray rebels urged to disarm as commander vows to fight onAn official in Tigray’s new federal-backed administration has urged rebel fighters to lay down their weapons.Clickorlando · 23 Oct, 15:38
• Ethiopia's Tigray rebels urged to disarm as commander vows to fight onAn official in Tigray’s new federal-backed administration has urged rebel fighters to lay down their weapons.News4Jax · 23 Oct, 15:38

In this story: Tigray · Mekelle · Ethiopia · Tigray People's Liberation Front · Redae Halefom Woldeselassie · Lt. Gen. Fisseha Kidanu

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