By Staff Reporter
November 14, 2020 (Ezega.com) -- The Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) fired rockets in the neighboring Amhara region and inflicted damages on Bahir Dar and Gondar airports, the Ethiopian government has disclosed.
“In the late hours of Nov. 13, 2020, rockets were fired towards Bahir Dar & Gondar cities. As a result, the airport areas have sustained damages. The TPLF junta is utilizing the last of the weaponry within its arsenals,” Ethiopia Emergency Fact Sheet said in a statement.
TPLF spokesperson Getachew Reda has confirmed that TPLF forces launched missile attacks on Gondar and Bahir Dar and threatened Asmara with a similar attack.
Getachew said the attacks have carried out in retaliation for air strikes conducted by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s forces in various parts of the state
“As long as the attacks on the people of Tigray do not stop, the attacks will intensify,” Getachew said in a statement on the Facebook page of the Tigray state’s communications office, he said
The Ethiopian government on Saturday said that the rockets have caused minor damages to Gondar airport.
Eyewitnesses in Bahir Dar told Ezega.com that there were explosions and exchanges of gun fires in both cities following the rockets’ attacks.
Bahir Dar airport, known as Ginbot 20 Airport, is located some 8 km west of the city, near the Lake Tana; while Gonder’s Atse Tewodros Airport is located some 18 km south of the city.
The Amhara regional government communication Affairs office released a statement confirming explosions in Bahir Dar and Gonder cities in places called Mecod and Azezo.
The statement said security forces have put the anti peace activities under control shortly.” It also said there were no power cuts in both cities and the incident would be fully investigated.
Without giving details, the statement also cautioned the people in the regional state that “similar acts may occur again.”
“This is indicative of TPLF’s last resort attempts to maintain control. The details of the incident are currently under investigation and further details will be provided accordingly.” said the Ethiopian State of Emergency Fact Check.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered a military operation against the TPLF leaders earlier this month after he accused them of attacking a military camp housing federal troops - claims the TPLF deny. There have since been a number of clashes and air strikes in the region.
At least 17,000 civilians have crossed to neighboring Sudan after the war broke out 12 days ago, according to the UN.
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