Rebel Forces Launch New Offensive in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region

GONDAR, ETHIOPIA - Rebel forces have launched a new offensive in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, a rebel spokesman told AFP on Tuesday, two weeks after an initial offensive that prompted the government to declare a cease-fire. 

“Yesterday, we launched an offensive in the Raya region (southern Tigray), and we managed to rout the divisions of the Federal Defense Forces and the Amhara forces,” Getachew Reda told AFP by telephone.   Getachew also said rebel fighters were still “on the trail” of pro-government forces on Tuesday.  “We have succeeded in securing the majority of southern Tigray,” he added, specifying in particular controlling Alamata, the main town in this area and where he claimed to be.