14 April 2024
Raya Alamata, Ethiopia – An exchange of fire has erupted in the disputed Raya Alamata district, located on the border of Amhara and Tigray regions, since Saturday, April 5th, 2024.
Local officials and residents blame the violence on militants, while Tigray officials claim their forces were responding to gunfire initiated by the militants.
Authorities in Raya Alamata allege that “TPLF forces” – militants affiliated with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) – launched an attack, deploying three regiments from their “Army 24” unit.
These forces are said to be using heavy weaponry, including Brel, Dishka, and sniper rifles. Residents reported hearing gunfire as recently as Monday afternoon.
Tigray officials paint a different picture. Haftu Kiros, chief administrator of the Southern Tigray Zone, denies any offensive action and maintains that Tigray militias were fired upon by militants originating from an area called Tao. He further claims that these militants used group weapons like Dishka.
The clashes stem from ongoing tensions over the status of Raya Alamata, a district frequently caught in the crossfire since February. The Ethiopian federal government intends to hold a referendum to determine the region’s affiliation, but the situation on the ground remains volatile.
At least one person, a militia member, has been confirmed dead in the shootout. The true number of casualties remains unknown.
Raya Alamata officials warn that Tigrayan militants are nearing the city of Alamata and have captured the kebele of Addis Berhan and an area called Garjale. They have pleaded with the federal government to intervene and prevent further violence.
The federal government previously established a committee to address the border dispute peacefully. However, recent actions by Tigray appear to contradict the Pretoria Agreement, a peace deal aimed at resolving the conflict in northern Ethiopia.
