Ethiopia forces, Tigrayan rebels battle over key town

Tigray People’s Liberation Front have claimed control over Dessie, marking a major advance in the nearly year-long war

Ethiopian forces and Tigrayan rebels fought a pitched battle for control of Kombolcha on Monday, terrified residents reported, after the rebels claimed to have taken over a second town in two days.

Reports of rebels capturing Kombolcha came a day after they claimed control of Dessie and, if confirmed, would mark a major advance by the (TPLF) in the nearly

Much of northern Ethiopia is under a communications blackout, and access for journalists is restricted, making battlefield claims difficult to verify independently.