Renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia has triggered reports of a new humanitarian crisis, with allegations that a coalition of armed groups in the Tigray region is forcibly recruiting men and boys as young as 15. The conflict reignited on 23 September, marking a significant escalation in hostilities between the Ethiopian federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
The outbreak of violence has shattered the fragile Pretoria peace agreement, which had been signed between the two parties in November 2022 to end the previous phase of the war. Since the resumption of hostilities, the situation on the ground has deteriorated rapidly, threatening to plunge the region into further instability.
According to emerging reports, a newly formed alliance of armed groups within Tigray has begun rounding up civilians on the streets. These groups are allegedly coercing men and adolescent boys into their ranks, a practice that has raised urgent concerns among humanitarian observers regarding the protection of vulnerable populations.
Civilians are currently attempting to flee the areas where these recruitment drives are taking place. The widespread nature of the arrests and the age of the individuals targeted have drawn attention to the immediate risks facing the local population as the conflict spreads.
The collapse of the Pretoria peace deal represents a critical setback for efforts to stabilize the region. As the fighting continues, the international community is monitoring the situation closely, with particular focus on the reported violations of international humanitarian law and the growing displacement of civilians.
<small>Source: The Guardian — read the original story there.</small>
