ADDIS ABABA — The Council for Peace and Change in Tigray released a statement on Friday accusing the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and its allies of launching a new offensive in the region, declaring that all avenues for peace have been shut down.
According to the council, armed forces affiliated with the TPLF launched coordinated attacks across multiple fronts on the night of September 23. The council alleged that the group seized control of regional airports, detained security personnel and facility workers, and subsequently shut down Ethio Telecom services, cutting off critical phone and internet access throughout Tigray.
“This evil act aims to place the people of Tigray who are already suffering from drought and severe hardships under a complete siege,” the council stated, warning that the blackout prevents civilians from receiving vital financial support, relief aid, and medical supplies.
The statement commended the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and aligned Tigrayan peace forces for resisting the offensive, pledging full support to ensure the conflict ends in the defeat of the warring factions. The council urged Tigrayans both domestically and in the diaspora to oppose the TPLF’s actions, while calling on the Ethiopian Federal Government and the international community to intervene swiftly to neutralize threats to national stability.
Additionally, the council expressed concern over reports from Addis Ababa regarding the detention of innocent Tigrayan residents who had fled to the capital after opposing the TPLF. The group urged federal and city authorities to investigate potential abuses by opportunistic individuals, demanding the immediate release of innocent civilians while reaffirming its commitment to work with law enforcement to identify genuine security threats.
