Briefing prepared for UK parliamentarians in January 2022
In an attempt to break a government-imposed humanitarian siege that continues to deprive their region of humanitarian assistance, the Tigrayan Defence Forces (TDF), which includes groups that are not affiliated with the Tigray Peoples Liberation Force (TPLF), launched an offensive on 13 July, extending operations into the Afar and Amhara regions.
By the end of November, the strategic towns of Dessie and Kombolcha had fallen as the TDF approached the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa from the north, while the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) with whom the TDF had partnered moved in on the city from the south.
In response to these developments, a nationwide state
of emergency was declared on 2 November by the federal
government, amid fears of its imminent collapse. As foreign
embassies rushed to evacuate their citizens, the capital’s
residents were enjoined to take up arms and defend the city.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared ‘total war’, and vowed
he would personally lead the battle from the frontlines.
This caused a surge in nationalistic fervour, and thousands
(young, old, male and female) answered the call. It also led
to a surge in ethnic hatred and the targeting of Tigrayans in
Addis Ababa and elsewhere.