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Saturday 6 March 2021 - 04:52

Eritrean Troops Killed Hundreds in Ethiopia Massacre: HRW

Story Code : 919913
Eritrean Troops Killed Hundreds in Ethiopia Massacre: HRW
It was the second major report on Eritrean abuses in the town of Axum, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in the past week.

Relatively, an Amnesty International investigation into the same events detailed how Eritrean troops "went on a rampage and systematically killed hundreds of civilians in cold blood."

The findings from the rights watchdogs come as global concern mounts over atrocities by Eritrean troops in Tigray.

UN leaders on Thursday accused the Eritreans of possible crimes against humanity and urged them to pull out.

Meanwhile, Addis Ababa and Asmara deny Eritrea is actively involved in Tigray.

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced military operations against the leadership of the Tigray People's Liberation Front [TPLF], Tigray's then-ruling party, in early November, saying they came in response to TPLF attacks on federal army camps.

Ethiopian and Eritrean forces entered Axum on November 20 after "indiscriminate" shelling that killed civilians, said the HRW report published Friday.

The Eritreans then engaged in "widespread pillaging" as Ethiopian troops mostly looked on, the report said.

The massacre began on November 28 after Tigrayan militia members, joined by some residents, attacked Eritrean soldiers, HRW said.

After calling in reinforcements, the Eritreans began "moving through the town, going house to house, searching for young men and boys, and executing them."
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