Tigray, the home of estimated 6-7 million people, is located in northern Ethiopia. Since Nov 4th, 2020, it's been under siege. The government of Ethiopia has colluded with the government of Eritrea to wage a full-scale Genocidal War on its own citizens under the guise of “enforcement of law and order.”
Military forces included the “Amhara Militia forces” from the neighboring regions (Gondar, Gojam, and Wollo) of Tigray. There is evidence that the war is also supported by UAE, who has supplied drones to rain death and unimaginable injuries/damages in the civilian population of Tigray. Eritrean and UAE’s hand in this war is the equivalent of the USA inviting Canada and/or Mexico to invade the state of California.
Despite numerous, conflicting claims that the war was over shortly after it's start, the fighting continues and the humanitarian crisis in Tigray has deteriorated extremely. By the United States recent estimate, up to 900,000 Tigrayans are now facing famine conditions due to the Ethiopian government’s persistent denial of “unfettered humanitarian aid corridors,” in all parts of Tigray (AP News June 26th, 2021).
900,000 Tigrayans are facing famine
As of June 28th, 2021, Tigray Defense Force (TDF) regained control of Mekelle and some parts of Tigray. Since then, more cities have been freed from the invading forces and yet, the humanitarian crisis remains unchanged due to the blackout throughout Tigray and the humanitarian access corridor remaining blocked.
To cite some of the highlights of what have been taking place over the period of 8 months as of July 1st , 2021:
Around 60k innocent civilians were forced to flee their homes winding up in Sudan as refugees.
Several thousand (exact figure unknown) civilians have been massacred.
Several thousands (exact figure unknown) of women of all ages ranging between 4 years old to 80 years old have been subjected to rape, included gang rapes by the troops of both countries, Amhara Militia included.
According to World Food Program, the fighting has displaced at least 1.6 million people, including more than 720,000 children, according to Ms. Fore, who said the conditions at sites hosting them, as well as refugee camps, are overcrowded, unsanitary and unsafe (June 1st, 2021 report). The internally displaced people (IDPs) are scattered throughout the different towns of Tigray with the majority in Shire, Adwa, and Mekelle who are without adequate access to food, shelter, water, and basic medical care
The occupying Amhara militia have killed or driven out the Tigrayan living in Western Tigray region, resettling Amhara people from outside of the region
According the World Food Program (WFP), 90%of the 7 million Tigrayan people need urgent food assistance. Several of them are in the brink of death from severe government-imposed famine and lack of basic medical care with half of them children and infants, etc.; estimated 100-150 people are dying daily (the actual number could be more as per the World Peace Foundation Report dated April 6h, 2021)
Most of Tigray has been without electricity, water, telephone and internet services since Nov 4th, 2020. Though most major cities have had some services restored, as of June 28 th , Tigray is again under total black out.
About 70% of the healthcare infra-structure is looted and/or destroyed
All public infrastructures including 90% of factories, 75% of educational facilities and institutions, 65% water sources have been looted and/or destroyed
Individual homes have been vandalized, looted, and/or destroyed
Private shops and businesses have been vandalized, looted, and/or destroyed
Humanitarian services have been restricted or not allowed all together, especially in the regions housing most of the IDPs
There was a curfew in all of Tigray where anyone found on the streets are shot dead after 6 pm. This curfew serves as coverup to commit the continued extra-judicial killings, mass rapes including gang rapes, and the looting… with most of Tigray under TDF the last few days since June 28 th , 2021 this might not be an issue at this time.
Nearly 6000 children are either orphaned or separated from their parents
At this time, all the 5.7 million people in Tigray are affected by the humanitarian crisis with 4.5 million deemed to be in “critical need”
According to Humanitarian Aid organizations USAID, UNICEF, and International Red Cross, and a recent US Representative Michael McCaul statement during a Hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, a crime against humanity in the form of Ethnic Cleansing and Genocide has been committed against Tigrayans
There have been accounts of use of chemical bombing with an alleged use of phosphorus (May 24 th , 2021 Telegraph Article)
According a recent AP report, Ethiopian Military Airstrike recently in a busy market in Tigray had killed at least 64 while injuring several others. Humanitarian aid group Doctors Without Borders had reported that three staffers had been murdered (June 25 th , 2021)
Reports continue to come that several thousands of people of Tigrayan heritage are being put prison in the capital of the country in masses and in other parts of the country The government of Ethiopia has persistently refused to cooperate with the requests from several world leaders/organizations such as the UN, EU, POTUS, Sec. Blinken, and several others to comply with:
withdrawal of all invading forces (most of Tigray has been freed by TDF in the last few days as of June 28 th , 2021)
allowing unfettered humanitarian access
allowing “independent investigation” of possible war crimes.
allowing unrestricted access to media both local and international
What is Next for Tigray?
With all that the people of Tigray have been through in the last 8 months, the devastating toll and humanitarian crisis is in a level that could have severe impact unless the much-needed humanitarian assistance is provided promptly. With each day passing, millions of lives are hanging by a thread. The work of rebuilding and restoring Tigray is going to take each and everyone’s effort. The time TO ACT IS NOW! Let’s roll our sleeves up and get ready to start Rebuilding and Restoring Tigray!
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Thank you.
