Tigray forces vow 'warm welcome' in face of new offensive

The spokesman for resurgent Tigray forces in Ethiopia says if forces from the neighboring Amhara region launch a threatened offensive on Saturday, “we’ll extend a warm welcome.”

NAIROBI, Kenya -- The spokesman for resurgent Tigray forces in Ethiopia says if forces from the neighboring Amhara region launch a threatened offensive on Saturday, “we'll extend a warm welcome.” Getachew Reda spoke to The Associated Press shortly after the Amhara region's head of peace and security said “this is the time for the Amhara people to crush the terrorist group.” Such an offensive would go against the unilateral cease-fire that Ethiopia's federal government declared in June as its soldiers retreated from Tigray. Getachew says Tigray forces have crossed into the Amhara region, and the Afar region, in recent weeks in an attempt to break the blockade that Ethiopia's government has imposed on Tigray. Hundreds of thousands of people face famine conditions, and the United Nations and United States this week sent high-level officials to Ethiopia to urge more access for aid. “We have to deal with anyone who's still shooting,” Getachew said. “If it takes marching to Addis to silence the guns, we will.” But civilians shouldn't fear, he said in response to allegations by ethnic Amhara that the Tigray forces have carried out attacks.