US Raises Alarm as Tigray Rebels Gain Ground in Afar Region

The US has expressed concern after Ethiopia’s Tigray rebels announced a military campaign in the neighboring Afar region, but praised the government’s efforts to lift the state of emergency.

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front announced Tuesday that it was initiating “strong activities” in Afar in response to pro-government forces, a month after the rebels’ retreat sparked expectations of bringing the war to an end after more than a year of fighting.

“Reports of renewed fighting in the region are very concerning and we repeat our calls to all actors to cease all offensive operations, which also hinder that humanitarian access that we all know is so crucial,” State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.

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He applauded Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government’s efforts to shorten the state of emergency established in November as insurgents threatened the city.

Price expressed optimism that the decision “will be granted shortly” and urged the government to release all those jailed as a result of the emergency declaration.

The United States has slammed Ethiopia, a longtime partner, for human rights violations in the war against Tigrayan rebels, including assistance distribution limitations.

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On January 1, the United States dropped Africa’s second-most populated country from a crucial trade agreement.

President Joe Biden, on the other hand, spoke with Abiy on a positive note on January 10, and senior State Department officials paid him a visit earlier this week.

The special envoy for the Horn of Africa, David Satterfield, and Molly Phee, the assistant secretary of state for African affairs, urged Abiy’s government to “seize what we feel is a current opening for peace,” including a ceasefire, according to Price.