29 October 2021
The Ethiopian National Defense Forces have carried out heavy shelling in the Tigray regional capital of Mekele, killing 10 people, a hospital official said.
The government said the attack, the latest in a series of bombings targeting Mekele, targeted a factory used by the TPLF.
Government spokesman Selamawit Kassan was quoted saying “The bombing destroyed the second phase of the Mesfin engineering plant. This site is being used by TPLF terrorists to repair their equipment.” However, he was contradicted by Dr Hayelom Kebede, a researcher at the Ayder Referral Hospital in Mekele, saying the bombings hit public places and caused heavy casualties.
“The death toll has risen to 10 and the number of injured is 21,” said Dr Hayelom Kebede.
The TPLF’s communications bureau added the shelling targeted civilian areas.
Earlier, TPLF spokesman Getachew Reda confirmed the bombardment, adding that their air defense system was engaged in self-defense against enemy aircraft.
Tigray region has come under heavy shelling in recent weeks as government forces step up attacks against the TPLF.
Air and airstrikes are one of the few areas where government forces have advantages over TPLF forces.
But a new war, resumed a few weeks ago by government forces and Amhara militias following defeats in June. The new offensive has not achieved its goal of liberating territories held by the TPLF
Instead, TPLF have moved into new locations and were on the verge of capturing the town of Dessie, 400km north of the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.
The war in Tigray against TPLF has now almost been going on for a year when the federal government launched a military campaign on Nov 4 2020 after TPLF attacked ENDF northern command headquarters. The war has created a humanitarian disaster in the Tigray region and taking its toll i the Ethiopian federal government.