Following an alleged attack on an army base, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister has ordered a military offensive to subdue the Tigray state authorities. Africa News reports that Abiy Ahmed has accused the region’s ruling party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), of launching the attack, saying it resulted in “many martyrs, injuries and property damage”.

A six-month state of emergency has been declared in the region. The prime minister’s office said, “This situation has reached a level where it cannot be prevented and controlled through the regular law enforcement mechanisms.”

Africa News reports that in recent months tensions between the government and TPLF have escalated. Previously, the TPLF used to be part of the governing coalition. However, A fallout with the Prime Minister followed each side having accused the other of plotting to use military force, with the federal parliament on Tuesday proposing that the Front be designated as a “terrorist organisation.”

Abiy accused the attackers of trying to loot military assets during Wednesday morning’s attack. He said that “the last red line had been crossed”. His office also accused TPLF soldiers of wearing uniforms like those of the Eritrean army. Abiy said that this was to “implicate the Eritrean government in false claims of aggression against the people of Tigray”.

Following Wednesday morning’s attack local authorities have imposed restrictions on movement. Tigray’s airspace has also been closed. Ethiopian Airlines will not be flying to the region. Passenger vehicles cannot be used either. Further, electricity, telephone and internet services have also been shut down in Tigray.

Umm Muhammed Umar