Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s army has said it had taken control of Mekele, the capital of the embattled northern Tigray region on Saturday.
Officials said they were now hunting for the dissident leaders. The announcement came after heavy shelling was reported in Mekele. The army Chief General Berhanu Jula told the press that over 7000 soldiers have been freed.
"We are looking for anti-peace forces hiding in every nook and cranny. We freed more than 7000 North division soldiers. We control our North division camp and all tanks and heavy weapons", General Jula said.
Earlier on Saturday, the local government said that heavy shelling had rocked the centre of Mekele.This statement was confirmed by two humanitarian officials with staff in the city, AFP reports.
More than three weeks of fighting in Tigray has left thousands of people dead, with tens of thousands more fleeing to Sudan for refuge.
Prime Minister and winner of last year's Nobel Peace Prize, Abiy Ahmed announced November 4 that he had ordered military operations against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
On Thursday, he ordered a "final" offensive against the Tigray military. The TPLF was contacted on Saturday after the army's statement but could not be reached immediately.
01:00
95 Libyan nationals arrested in South Africa
01:30
UN report says around 733 million people globally faced hunger in 2023
01:04
Nairobi quarry unveils grim truth as suspected serial killer confesses to 42 murders
02:19
Eastern DRC: Rwanda and M23 accused of violating truce
Go to video
Western envoys criticize South Sudan security bill that could allow warrantless detentions
01:00
Hezbollah fires over 200 rockets into Israel in retaliation of the killing of senior commander