There is confusion over the peace accord, both the government and the TPLF have conflicting versions of how they want the truce to be signed and implemented. Our correspondent Coletta Wanjohi explains how the negotiations are going to play out and the road to finding peace in Ethiopia.

World Of Africa: Will Ethiopia's Tigray conflict end peacefully?

After 2 years of a civil war that displaced thousands, peace now nears as Ethiopian government agrees to talk with Tigray forces. Is a Truce imminent, or will it be another wait for hundreds living in desperation? Find out this week on World Of Africa with Erik Njoka.

World Of Africa: Decoding Ethiopia's civil war

Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed announced that his government had formed a committee to negotiate for peace with TPLF amid Ethiopia's deadly civil war.

Ethiopia forms a negotiation body to discuss possible peace talks with TPLF

After 16 months of fighting, there are finally signs of a thaw in Ethiopia's Tigray Conflict. The govt of Abiy Ahmed Ali has declared a humanitarian truce with TPLF. How did this truce come about? How long will it hold? Palki Sharma decodes.

Gravitas: Ethiopian govt declares humanitarian truce

Ethiopia's government has declared a 'Humanitarian truce' with Tigray rebels amid conflict. Rebels have agreed to 'cessation of hostilities'.

Ethiopia's government declares 'Humanitarian truce' in Tigray with rebels

Tigrayan&nbsp;rebels&nbsp;agreed to a "cessation&nbsp;of&nbsp;hostilities" on Friday, a new turning point in the nearly 17-month war in northern&nbsp;Ethiopia&nbsp;following the government's announcement of an indefinite humanitarian truce a day earlier.

The&nbsp;rebels&nbsp;said in a&nbsp;statement&nbsp;sent to AFP early Friday that they were "committed to implementing a&nbsp;cessation&nbsp;of&nbsp;hostilities&nbsp;effective immediately," and urged Ethiopian authorities to hasten delivery of emergency aid into&nbsp;Tigray, where hundreds of thousands face starvation.

Since war broke out in November 2020, thousands have died, and many more have been forced to flee their homes as the conflict has expanded from&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;to the neighbouring regions of Amhara and Afar.

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On Thursday, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government declared a surprise truce, saying it hoped the move would ease humanitarian access to&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;and "pave the way for the resolution of the conflict" in northern&nbsp;Ethiopia.

It called on the&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;People's Liberation Front (TPLF) to "desist from all acts of further aggression and withdraw from areas they have occupied in neighbouring regions."

The&nbsp;rebels&nbsp;in turn urged "the Ethiopian authorities to go beyond empty promises and take concrete steps to facilitate unfettered humanitarian access to&nbsp;Tigray."

The conflict erupted when Abiy sent troops into&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;to topple the TPLF, the region's former ruling party, saying the move came in response to rebel attacks on army camps.&nbsp;

Fighting has dragged on for over a year, triggering a humanitarian crisis, as accounts have emerged of mass rapes and massacres, with both sides accused of human rights violations.

More than 400,000 people have been displaced in&nbsp;Tigray, according to the UN.

The region has also been subject to what the UN says is a de facto blockade.&nbsp;

The United States has accused Abiy's government of preventing aid from reaching those in need, while the authorities in turn have blamed the&nbsp;rebels&nbsp;for the obstruction.

Nearly 40 percent of the people in&nbsp;Tigray, a region of six million people, face "an extreme lack of food", the UN said in January, with fuel shortages forcing aid workers to deliver medicines and other crucial supplies by foot.

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Ceasefire efforts

Western nations have been urging both sides to&nbsp;agree&nbsp;to a ceasefire, with the US, the European Union, the UK and Canada hailing the truce declaration.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States "urges all parties to build on this announcement to advance a negotiated and sustainable ceasefire, including necessary security arrangements."

"The #EU welcomes the declaration of a humanitarian truce by the Gov of #Ethiopia&nbsp;and the&nbsp;statement&nbsp;on&nbsp;cessation&nbsp;of&nbsp;hostilities&nbsp;by the Tigrayan Authorities", the EU delegation to&nbsp;Ethiopia&nbsp;said on Twitter.

Washington angered&nbsp;Ethiopia's government by removing trading privileges for the country over rights concerns during the war, but has stopped short of imposing sanctions in hopes of encouraging a ceasefire.

The new US special envoy for the Horn of Africa, David Satterfield, visited&nbsp;Ethiopia&nbsp;this week to meet the African Union's envoy to the region Olusegun Obasanjo, government and UN officials, as well as representatives of humanitarian groups.&nbsp;

Diplomats led by Obasanjo have been trying for months to broker peace talks, with little evident progress so far.

Analysts said the truce was an important step but urged the government to follow up the announcement with action and ease humanitarian access to&nbsp;Tigray, where hundreds of thousands are living in famine-like conditions, according to the UN.

"The unconditional and unrestricted delivery of aid could also help create enough trust to pave the way for ceasefire talks and, eventually, dialogue," said William Davison, the International Crisis Group's senior analyst for&nbsp;Ethiopia.

Aid shortages

More than nine million people need food aid across Afar, Amhara and&nbsp;Tigray, according to the UN's World Food Programme.

But humanitarian organisations have been forced to increasingly curtail activities because of fuel and supply shortages.&nbsp;

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"WFP operations in the&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;region have ground to a halt, with only emergency fuel stocks and less than one percent of the required food stocks remaining," the agency said this week.&nbsp;

The government previously declared a "unilateral ceasefire" in&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;in June last year, after the TPLF mounted a shock comeback and retook the region from federal forces before expanding into Amhara and Afar.&nbsp;

But fighting intensified in the second half of 2021, with the&nbsp;rebels&nbsp;at one point claiming to be within 200 kilometres (125 miles) of the capital Addis Ababa, before reaching a stalemate.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Ethiopia's government declares 'Humanitarian truce' in Tigray with rebels

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ethiopias-government-declares-humanitarian-truce-in-tigray-with-rebels-465336/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Tigrayan rebels agreed to a "cessation of hostilities" on Friday, a new turning point in the nearly 17-month war in northern Ethiopia following the government's announcement of an indefinite humanitarian truce a day earlier.

Tigrayan rebels agreed to a "cessation of hostilities" on Friday, a new turning point in the nearly 17-month war in northern Ethiopia following the government's announcement of an indefinite humanitarian truce a day earlier. The rebels said in a statement sent to AFP early Friday that they were "committed to implementing a cessation of hostilities effective immediately," and urged Ethiopian authorities to hasten delivery of emergency aid into Tigray, where hundreds of thousands face starvation. Since war broke out in November 2020, thousands have died, and many more have been forced to flee their homes as the conflict has expanded from Tigray to the neighbouring regions of Amhara and Afar. Also read | Ethiopia vows probe into gruesome video of man on fire On Thursday, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government declared a surprise truce, saying it hoped the move would ease humanitarian access to Tigray and "pave the way for the resolution of the conflict" in northern Ethiopia. It called on the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) to "desist from all acts of further aggression and withdraw from areas they have occupied in neighbouring regions." The rebels in turn urged "the Ethiopian authorities to go beyond empty promises and take concrete steps to facilitate unfettered humanitarian access to Tigray." The conflict erupted when Abiy sent troops into Tigray to topple the TPLF, the region's former ruling party, saying the move came in response to rebel attacks on army camps. Fighting has dragged on for over a year, triggering a humanitarian crisis, as accounts have emerged of mass rapes and massacres, with both sides accused of human rights violations. More than 400,000 people have been displaced in Tigray, according to the UN. The region has also been subject to what the UN says is a de facto blockade. The United States has accused Abiy's government of preventing aid from reaching those in need, while the authorities in turn have blamed the rebels for the obstruction. Nearly 40 percent of the people in Tigray, a region of six million people, face "an extreme lack of food", the UN said in January, with fuel shortages forcing aid workers to deliver medicines and other crucial supplies by foot. Also read | Ethiopia turns on the turbines at giant Nile hydropower plant Ceasefire efforts Western nations have been urging both sides to agree to a ceasefire, with the US, the European Union, the UK and Canada hailing the truce declaration. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States "urges all parties to build on this announcement to advance a negotiated and sustainable ceasefire, including necessary security arrangements." "The #EU welcomes the declaration of a humanitarian truce by the Gov of #Ethiopia and the statement on cessation of hostilities by the Tigrayan Authorities", the EU delegation to Ethiopia said on Twitter. Washington angered Ethiopia's government by removing trading privileges for the country over rights concerns during the war, but has stopped short of imposing sanctions in hopes of encouraging a ceasefire. The new US special envoy for the Horn of Africa, David Satterfield, visited Ethiopia this week to meet the African Union's envoy to the region Olusegun Obasanjo, government and UN officials, as well as representatives of humanitarian groups. Diplomats led by Obasanjo have been trying for months to broker peace talks, with little evident progress so far. Analysts said the truce was an important step but urged the government to follow up the announcement with action and ease humanitarian access to Tigray, where hundreds of thousands are living in famine-like conditions, according to the UN. "The unconditional and unrestricted delivery of aid could also help create enough trust to pave the way for ceasefire talks and, eventually, dialogue," said William Davison, the International Crisis Group's senior analyst for Ethiopia. Aid shortages More than nine million people need food aid across Afar, Amhara and Tigray, according to the UN's World Food Programme. But humanitarian organisations have been forced to increasingly curtail activities because of fuel and supply shortages. Also read | Ethiopian Airlines to fly 737 MAX with passengers for first time since deadly crash "WFP operations in the Tigray region have ground to a halt, with only emergency fuel stocks and less than one percent of the required food stocks remaining," the agency said this week. The government previously declared a "unilateral ceasefire" in Tigray in June last year, after the TPLF mounted a shock comeback and retook the region from federal forces before expanding into Amhara and Afar. But fighting intensified in the second half of 2021, with the rebels at one point claiming to be within 200 kilometres (125 miles) of the capital Addis Ababa, before reaching a stalemate. Watch | Ethiopia's government declares 'Humanitarian truce' in Tigray with rebels

Tigray rebels agree to 'cessation of hostilities'

Ethiopia's parliament has voted for an early end to a six-month state of emergency, which was imposed in last November as Tigray forces fighting the government and their allies advanced towards the capital Addis Ababa.

Ethiopia: Early end to a 6-month state of emergency

Trigger warning: This story contains graphic descriptions of violence, including that of sexual nature. Discretion is advised.

As part of the 15-month war, dozens of women and girls were gang-raped by the tigrayan fighters in two towns in Ethiopia's Amhara region last year, Amnesty International said on Wednesday, a fresh example of the horrific toll endured by the region.

Thirty (30) rape survivors, some as young as 14, and other victims of violence were interviewed by the rights watchdog to get a better picture of the atrocities in Chenna and Kobo in August and September after rebels from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) seized control of the towns.

In nearly half of the cases of sexual violence, victims were gang-raped; doctors told Amnesty that some survivors had suffered lacerations after rifle bayonets were inserted into their genitals.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-lies-ahead-for-ethiopia-as-war-enters-second-year-428831">What lies ahead for Ethiopia as war enters second year</a>

According to a 14-year-old schoolgirl and her mother, both were raped by TPLF fighters who claimed the attacks were revenge for the atrocities their own families had suffered.

"One of them raped me in the courtyard and the other raped my mother inside the house," she said.

"My mother is very sick now, she is very depressed and desperate. We don't speak about what happened; it is impossible."

The investigation follows the publication of an Amnesty report in November exposing tigrayan rebels' sexual assaults in the Amhara town of Nifas Mewcha.

"Evidence is mounting of a pattern of Tigrayan forces committing war crimes and possible crimes against humanity in areas under their control in the Amhara region from July 2021 onwards.&nbsp;

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"This includes repeated incidents of widespread rape, summary killings and looting, including from hospitals," Amnesty's deputy director for East Africa, Sarah Jackson, said.

Revenge killings&nbsp;

Kobo residents reported that TPLF fighters shot dead unarmed civilians in a revenge killing spree after facing resistance from Amhara militias.

"The first dead bodies we saw were by the school fence. There were 20 bodies lying in their underwear and facing the fence and three more bodies in the school compound. Most were shot at the back of their heads and some in the back.

"Those who were shot at the back of their heads could not be recognised because their faces were partially blown off," one male resident said.

Satellite imagery analysis by the watchdog revealed the existence of new graveyards that the villagers also mentioned.

Amnesty International reports that the TPLF did not respond to the latest accusations. However, the rebel group has previously criticized the watchdog over its report on alleged atrocities in Nifas Mewcha, saying it would conduct its own investigation and prosecute the perpetrators.

Watch |&nbsp;Ethiopia: UN report on horrific accounts of rape and torture in Tigray region

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ethiopia-un-report-on-horrific-accounts-of-rape-and-torture-in-tigray-region-452638/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Many thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands are on the edge of starvation in northern Ethiopia as a result of the war.

Amnesty International previously documented hundreds of women and girls raped in Tigray by Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers.

In a joint report by UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet's office and the government-affiliated Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, last November it was concluded that there had been "serious abuses" on all sides and that some of them may amount to crimes against humanity.

(With inputs from agencies)

Trigger warning: This story contains graphic descriptions of violence, including that of sexual nature. Discretion is advised. As part of the 15-month war, dozens of women and girls were gang-raped by the tigrayan fighters in two towns in Ethiopia's Amhara region last year, Amnesty International said on Wednesday, a fresh example of the horrific toll endured by the region.

Trigger warning: This story contains graphic descriptions of violence, including that of sexual nature. Discretion is advised. As part of the 15-month war, dozens of women and girls were gang-raped by the tigrayan fighters in two towns in Ethiopia's Amhara region last year, Amnesty International said on Wednesday, a fresh example of the horrific toll endured by the region. Thirty (30) rape survivors, some as young as 14, and other victims of violence were interviewed by the rights watchdog to get a better picture of the atrocities in Chenna and Kobo in August and September after rebels from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) seized control of the towns. In nearly half of the cases of sexual violence, victims were gang-raped; doctors told Amnesty that some survivors had suffered lacerations after rifle bayonets were inserted into their genitals. Also read | What lies ahead for Ethiopia as war enters second year According to a 14-year-old schoolgirl and her mother, both were raped by TPLF fighters who claimed the attacks were revenge for the atrocities their own families had suffered. "One of them raped me in the courtyard and the other raped my mother inside the house," she said. "My mother is very sick now, she is very depressed and desperate. We don't speak about what happened; it is impossible." The investigation follows the publication of an Amnesty report in November exposing tigrayan rebels' sexual assaults in the Amhara town of Nifas Mewcha. "Evidence is mounting of a pattern of Tigrayan forces committing war crimes and possible crimes against humanity in areas under their control in the Amhara region from July 2021 onwards. Also read | Ethiopia raps WHO chief for ‘supporting’ rebellion Tigray forces "This includes repeated incidents of widespread rape, summary killings and looting, including from hospitals," Amnesty's deputy director for East Africa, Sarah Jackson, said. Revenge killings Kobo residents reported that TPLF fighters shot dead unarmed civilians in a revenge killing spree after facing resistance from Amhara militias. "The first dead bodies we saw were by the school fence. There were 20 bodies lying in their underwear and facing the fence and three more bodies in the school compound. Most were shot at the back of their heads and some in the back. "Those who were shot at the back of their heads could not be recognised because their faces were partially blown off," one male resident said. Satellite imagery analysis by the watchdog revealed the existence of new graveyards that the villagers also mentioned. Amnesty International reports that the TPLF did not respond to the latest accusations. However, the rebel group has previously criticized the watchdog over its report on alleged atrocities in Nifas Mewcha, saying it would conduct its own investigation and prosecute the perpetrators. Watch | Ethiopia: UN report on horrific accounts of rape and torture in Tigray region Many thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands are on the edge of starvation in northern Ethiopia as a result of the war. Amnesty International previously documented hundreds of women and girls raped in Tigray by Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers. In a joint report by UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet's office and the government-affiliated Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, last November it was concluded that there had been "serious abuses" on all sides and that some of them may amount to crimes against humanity. (With inputs from agencies)

Revenge killing, gang-rapes; Amnesty international reports the horrific toll endured by Tigray

Women living in Ethiopia's conflict torn-Tigray region, it is a state of never-ending nightmare. In the latest, UN deputy secretary has called for justice against the unimaginable horrors that women of the region have to face.

Ethiopia: UN report on horrific accounts of rape and torture in Tigray region

Nearly 40 percent of Tigrayans are facing an ''extreme lack of food'' as per the World Food Programme.

The assessment by the United Nations agency highlighted that no aid convoy has reached Tigray since mid-December last year.

The Ethiopian government said last week that 43 trucks would deliver food and other aid to Tigray, but no trucks have arrived as fighting rages along the border between the Afar and Tigray regions.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-ethiopias-civil-war-a-proxy-battle-between-the-west-and-east-431973/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Fresh fighting in northern Ethiopia, which has been gripped by deadly conflict for almost 15 months, is also limiting avenues for getting in aid.&nbsp;

The report comes as humanitarian groups are forced to increasingly curtail activities because of fuel and supply shortages, with aid having to be delivered by foot.

The war broke out in November 2020 and pits the Ethiopian government and its allies against forces loyal to the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the political party that controls Tigray.

The conflict has killed thousands and displaced millions across three regions in Ethiopia and into neighbouring Sudan.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-lies-ahead-for-ethiopia-as-war-enters-second-year-428831">Also see |&nbsp;What lies ahead for Ethiopia as war enters second year</a>

OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke told reporters in Geneva that aid groups operating in Tigray had told the agency that if there is no change in conditions, "they will be unable to provide anything by the end of February".

"Families are exhausting all means to feed themselves, with three quarters of the population using extreme coping strategies to survive," WFP said in a statement.

"Diets are increasingly impoverished as food items become unavailable and families rely almost exclusively on cereals while limiting portion sizes and the number of meals they eat each day to make whatever food is available stretch further," it added.

WFP also sounded the alarm about rising hunger in neighbouring Amhara and Afar regions, which have been hit hard by fighting in recent months.&nbsp;

"WFP is doing all it can to ensure our convoys with food and medicines make it through the frontlines," said WFP's East Africa director, Michael Dunford.&nbsp;

"But if hostilities persist, we need all the parties to the conflict to agree to a humanitarian pause and formally agreed transport corridors, so that supplies can reach the millions besieged by hunger," Dunford said.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Nearly 40 percent of Tigrayans are facing an ''extreme lack of food'' as per the World Food Programme. The assessment by the United Nations agency highlighted that no aid convoy has reached Tigray since mid-December last year.

Nearly 40 percent of Tigrayans are facing an ''extreme lack of food'' as per the World Food Programme. The assessment by the United Nations agency highlighted that no aid convoy has reached Tigray since mid-December last year. The Ethiopian government said last week that 43 trucks would deliver food and other aid to Tigray, but no trucks have arrived as fighting rages along the border between the Afar and Tigray regions. Fresh fighting in northern Ethiopia, which has been gripped by deadly conflict for almost 15 months, is also limiting avenues for getting in aid. The report comes as humanitarian groups are forced to increasingly curtail activities because of fuel and supply shortages, with aid having to be delivered by foot. The war broke out in November 2020 and pits the Ethiopian government and its allies against forces loyal to the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the political party that controls Tigray. The conflict has killed thousands and displaced millions across three regions in Ethiopia and into neighbouring Sudan. Also see | What lies ahead for Ethiopia as war enters second year OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke told reporters in Geneva that aid groups operating in Tigray had told the agency that if there is no change in conditions, "they will be unable to provide anything by the end of February". "Families are exhausting all means to feed themselves, with three quarters of the population using extreme coping strategies to survive," WFP said in a statement. "Diets are increasingly impoverished as food items become unavailable and families rely almost exclusively on cereals while limiting portion sizes and the number of meals they eat each day to make whatever food is available stretch further," it added. WFP also sounded the alarm about rising hunger in neighbouring Amhara and Afar regions, which have been hit hard by fighting in recent months. "WFP is doing all it can to ensure our convoys with food and medicines make it through the frontlines," said WFP's East Africa director, Michael Dunford. "But if hostilities persist, we need all the parties to the conflict to agree to a humanitarian pause and formally agreed transport corridors, so that supplies can reach the millions besieged by hunger," Dunford said. (With inputs from agencies)

Nearly 40% of Tigrayans face 'extreme lack of food': World Food Programme

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is ready for ceasefire negotiations with the rival Tigray rebels. It's the first time that PM Abiy has made such an announcement ever since the crisis began.

Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed ready for talks with TPLF

Tensions continue to escalate in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian army is planning to enter the regional capital of Tigray in a bit to try and destroy the rebel forces.

Tensions escalate as Ethiopia is planning to enter Tigray amid conflict

Ethiopia has hit out at the World Health Organization Chief for his statement supporting the Tigrayan rebel forces. The Ethiopian government said it will not support his re-election.

Ethiopia has hit out at the WHO Chief for his statement supporting the Tigrayan rebel forces

At least 108 civilians have been killed this month in a series of airstrikes in the war-torn northern&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;region of Ethiopia, the United Nations said Friday.

The UN also warned of a looming humanitarian disaster in the region, with its food distribution operations on the verge of grinding to a halt.

The UN human rights office urged the Ethiopian authorities to ensure the protection of civilians, saying disproportionate attacks hitting non-military targets could amount to war crimes.

Northern Ethiopia has been beset by conflict since November 2020 when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops into&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;after accusing the region's ruling party, the&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;People's Liberation Front (TPLF), of attacks on federal army camps.&nbsp;

"We are alarmed by the multiple, deeply disturbing reports we continue to receive of civilian casualties and destruction of civilian objects resulting from airstrikes in Ethiopia's&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;region," rights office spokeswoman Liz Throssell told reporters in Geneva.

"At least 108 civilians have reportedly been killed and 75 others injured since the year began, as a result of air strikes allegedly carried out by the Ethiopian air force."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopia-raps-who-chief-for-supporting-rebellion-tigray-forces-444866">Also read |&nbsp;Ethiopia raps WHO chief for ‘supporting’ rebellion Tigray forces</a>

She detailed a series of airstrikes, including the January 7 attack on the Dedebit camp for internally displaced persons, which left at least 56 dead and 30 others wounded, of which three later died in hospital.

On Monday, 17 civilians were reportedly killed and 21 injured after an airstrike hit a flour mill, and on Tuesday, the state-owned Technical Vocational Education and Training institute was hit, reportedly killing three men, said Throssell.

Numerous other airstrikes were reported last week, she added.

"We call on the Ethiopian authorities and their allies to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian objects, in line with their obligations under international law," said Throssell.

"Failure to respect the principles of distinction and proportionality could amount to war crimes."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-temporarily-suspends-trends-feature-in-ethiopia-over-fear-of-violence-427199">Also read |&nbsp;Twitter temporarily suspends Trends feature in Ethiopia over fear of violence</a>

Meanwhile the UN's World Food Programme said its distributions were at an all-time low, with the escalation of the conflict meaning that no WFP convoy has reached the Tigrayan capital Mekele since mid-December.

"Life-saving food assistance operations in northern Ethiopia are about to grind to a halt because intense fighting in the neighbourhood that has blocked the passage of fuel and food," WFP spokesman Tomson Phiri told reporters.

"After 14 months of conflict in northern Ethiopia, more people than ever need urgent food assistance.

"With no food, no fuel, no access, we are on the edge of a major humanitarian disaster."

At least 108 civilians have been killed this month in a series of airstrikes in the war-torn northern Tigray region of Ethiopia, the United Nations said Friday. The UN also warned of a looming humanitarian disaster in the region, with its food distribution operations on the verge of grinding to a halt.

At least 108 civilians have been killed this month in a series of airstrikes in the war-torn northern Tigray region of Ethiopia, the United Nations said Friday. The UN also warned of a looming humanitarian disaster in the region, with its food distribution operations on the verge of grinding to a halt. The UN human rights office urged the Ethiopian authorities to ensure the protection of civilians, saying disproportionate attacks hitting non-military targets could amount to war crimes. Northern Ethiopia has been beset by conflict since November 2020 when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops into Tigray after accusing the region's ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), of attacks on federal army camps. "We are alarmed by the multiple, deeply disturbing reports we continue to receive of civilian casualties and destruction of civilian objects resulting from airstrikes in Ethiopia's Tigray region," rights office spokeswoman Liz Throssell told reporters in Geneva. "At least 108 civilians have reportedly been killed and 75 others injured since the year began, as a result of air strikes allegedly carried out by the Ethiopian air force." Also read | Ethiopia raps WHO chief for ‘supporting’ rebellion Tigray forces She detailed a series of airstrikes, including the January 7 attack on the Dedebit camp for internally displaced persons, which left at least 56 dead and 30 others wounded, of which three later died in hospital. On Monday, 17 civilians were reportedly killed and 21 injured after an airstrike hit a flour mill, and on Tuesday, the state-owned Technical Vocational Education and Training institute was hit, reportedly killing three men, said Throssell. Numerous other airstrikes were reported last week, she added. "We call on the Ethiopian authorities and their allies to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian objects, in line with their obligations under international law," said Throssell. "Failure to respect the principles of distinction and proportionality could amount to war crimes." Also read | Twitter temporarily suspends Trends feature in Ethiopia over fear of violence Meanwhile the UN's World Food Programme said its distributions were at an all-time low, with the escalation of the conflict meaning that no WFP convoy has reached the Tigrayan capital Mekele since mid-December. "Life-saving food assistance operations in northern Ethiopia are about to grind to a halt because intense fighting in the neighbourhood that has blocked the passage of fuel and food," WFP spokesman Tomson Phiri told reporters. "After 14 months of conflict in northern Ethiopia, more people than ever need urgent food assistance. "With no food, no fuel, no access, we are on the edge of a major humanitarian disaster."

At least 108 civilians killed this year in Tigray airstrikes, says UN

Ethiopia has accused the World Health Organisation (WHO) chief of supporting the rebellious Tigrayan forces who are fighting the government.

The Ethiopian government was miffed with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus when he tweeted that aid was being blocked from getting through his hometown Tigray.

On Thursday, Tedros, who previously served as the Ethiopian health minister and foreign minister, &nbsp;tweeted. “People in #Tigray #Ethiopia, living under de facto blockade for over a year, are dying from lack of medicine &amp; food, &amp; repeated drone attacks. @WHO &amp; partners call for safe, unimpeded access to deliver humanitarian aid to the millions of people in great need."

The tweet didn’t sit well with the Ethiopian government which denied blocking aid.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-temporarily-suspends-trends-feature-in-ethiopia-over-fear-of-violence-427199">&nbsp;Twitter temporarily suspends Trends feature in Ethiopia over fear of violence</a>

“Tedros Adhanom’s moral, legal and professional standing threatens WHO’s organisational standing,” it said in a statement, reports Reuters.

“He has spread harmful misinformation and compromised WHO's reputation, independence, credibility which is evident from his social media postings,” it added.

Ethiopia's foreign ministry said Tedros failed to show integrity and professionalism and was a member of the TPLF, which dominated Ethiopian politics for nearly 30 years before Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's 2018 appointment.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopia-appreciates-indias-stance-on-tigray-conflict-at-unsc-404485">Ethiopia appreciates India's stance on Tigray conflict at UNSC</a>

"Tedros encourages the TPLF in his media engagements and celebrates what is presumed to be a military success of the group, besides engaging in selective outrage where he discriminately addresses the humanitarian concerns in Ethiopia," the ministry said.

The government designated TPLF a terrorist group after the war erupted in November 2020. Tedros, a Tigrayan, was a member of the TPLF, Reuters reported.

Thousands have been killed in the conflict in Tigray, which spread to two neighbouring regions in northern Ethiopia before Tigrayan forces were forced to withdraw back to Tigray in December.

(With inputs from agencies)

Ethiopia has accused the World Health Organisation (WHO) chief of supporting the rebellious Tigrayan forces who are fighting the government. The Ethiopian government was miffed with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus when he tweeted that aid was being blocked from getting through his hometown Tigray.

Ethiopia has accused the World Health Organisation (WHO) chief of supporting the rebellious Tigrayan forces who are fighting the government. The Ethiopian government was miffed with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus when he tweeted that aid was being blocked from getting through his hometown Tigray. On Thursday, Tedros, who previously served as the Ethiopian health minister and foreign minister, tweeted. “People in #Tigray #Ethiopia, living under de facto blockade for over a year, are dying from lack of medicine & food, & repeated drone attacks. @WHO & partners call for safe, unimpeded access to deliver humanitarian aid to the millions of people in great need." The tweet didn’t sit well with the Ethiopian government which denied blocking aid. Also read | Twitter temporarily suspends Trends feature in Ethiopia over fear of violence “Tedros Adhanom’s moral, legal and professional standing threatens WHO’s organisational standing,” it said in a statement, reports Reuters. “He has spread harmful misinformation and compromised WHO's reputation, independence, credibility which is evident from his social media postings,” it added. Ethiopia's foreign ministry said Tedros failed to show integrity and professionalism and was a member of the TPLF, which dominated Ethiopian politics for nearly 30 years before Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's 2018 appointment. Also read | Ethiopia appreciates India's stance on Tigray conflict at UNSC "Tedros encourages the TPLF in his media engagements and celebrates what is presumed to be a military success of the group, besides engaging in selective outrage where he discriminately addresses the humanitarian concerns in Ethiopia," the ministry said. The government designated TPLF a terrorist group after the war erupted in November 2020. Tedros, a Tigrayan, was a member of the TPLF, Reuters reported. Thousands have been killed in the conflict in Tigray, which spread to two neighbouring regions in northern Ethiopia before Tigrayan forces were forced to withdraw back to Tigray in December. (With inputs from agencies)

Ethiopia raps WHO chief for ‘supporting’ rebellion Tigray forces

The Ethiopian government had announced that it was pardoning a number of high-profile political prisoners, including members of the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), in a bid to promote national dialogue.

Ethiopian government orders release of opponents

World Health Organization is condemned what it is termed as the de facto blockade preventing medicines and other life-saving supplies reaching Ethiopia's Tigray province. The chief of the WHO's emergency response programme said the situation remains pretty desperate.

WHO condemns medicine, life-saving supplies blockade in Tigray

The airstrike on a camp for internally displaced people in Tigray has reportedly killed 56 people and injured dozens of others. This comes amidst allegations of the Ethiopian govt repeatedly targetting civilians.

Tigray: 56 people killed in airstrike on camp for internally displaced people

The Ethiopian government has announced Amnesty for a number of high-profile political prisoners. This includes pardons for people from the opposition like the Tigray people's liberation front, as well as the Ormo ethnic group. It is important to note that these pardons come in the backdrop long-drawn conflict in northern Ethiopia after fighting broke out in November 2020 after months of tensions with the TPLF. The conflict are witnessing a period of cessation. After Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Helmed the recapture of a host of key towns from the Tigray people's liberation front.

Ethiopian government announces Amnesty for a number of high-profile political prisoners

It started as an operation by the Ethiopian government on the Tigrayan rebels in late 2020, but soon this operation by the Ethiopian government exploded into a bit of a civil war leading to a million people getting displaced and a humanitarian disaster unfolding in large parts of Ethiopia.

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Amid the ongoing Tigray conflict and 13-month war, the Ethiopian government makes territorial gains as it claims back Tigrayan city from rebels.

Ethiopian PM says federal troops to not advance further

Ethiopian prime minister Abby Ahmed has said that federal troops will not advance further into the war-torn province of Tigre to avoid an escalation of the conflict.

Govt says, no further advance into Tigray

Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has started withdrawing the forces from two regions in North Ethiopia as the 13-month brutal war reaches a turning point.

Tigray rebels withdraw from 2 regions in North

Tigray's rebel forces withdraw from two regions in North Ethiopia

Ethiopia: Tigray rebels withdraw from two regions in North

Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has announced that the forces of the Front have completed their withdrawal from the regions of Amhara and Afar in Ethiopia.

Tigray rebels to withdraw from neighboring Ethiopian regions

Tigray forces announces withdraw from Ethiopia's Amhara, Afar regions

Rights group sounds an alarm on a fresh wave of ethnic violence happening in war-torn Ethiopia. Amhara forces have been accused of torturing the Tigray people. In the months of November and December, Amhara forces were documented systematically detaining, torturing the people of Tigray.

Ethiopia: Amhara forces were documented systematically detaining, torturing people of Tigray

Residents of Lalibela, a city in northern Ethiopia describe life during the recent occupation by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) insurgent group.

Ethiopia: Life under TPLF rebel group in Lalibela

Tigray rebels on Sunday recaptured the north Ethiopian town of Lalibela, home to a UNESCO world heritage site.

Tigray rebels regain control of Ethiopian heritage town Lalibela

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi backed the Ethiopian government amid the ongoing war in Tigray. Is Beijing displacing American power in Africa? Will Ethiopia become a Chinese BRI outpost? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: China enters the civil war in Ethiopia

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