PM orders Defense Forces to start military offensive against TPLF

Addis Ababa, November 4, 2020 (FBC) – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has ordered the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) to start military offensive against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

In a statement issued this morning, office of the Prime Minister said “The Ethiopian National Defense Forces, under the direction of a Command Post, have been ordered to carry out their mission to save the country and the region from spiraling into instability.”

Despite the Federal Government’s efforts to thwart a military confrontation, TPLF has crossed the red line by attacking this morning the Ethiopian National Defence Forces base located in Tigray region, it said.

The Front also attempted to rob artillery and military equipment from the Northern Command Post that has been stationed in the Tigray region for more than two decades in services and protection of the people of Tigray from any threats.

“The attack on the Northern Command has been premised on TPLF viewing the Ethiopian National Defence Forces as a foreign army rather than an army that has been protecting the people of Tigray for more than twenty years. Resultantly, TPLF has chosen to wage war in Dalshah.”

“While the Federal Government has used all means to thwart a military engagement against TPLF, a war however cannot be prevented only on the goodwill and decision on one side, but on the mutual choice for peace by both parties. The last red line has been crossed with this morning’s attacks and the Federal Government is therefore forced into a military confrontation.”

The Prime Minister called upon the Ethiopian people to remain calm, to be vigilant in the face of possible harassment, and to stand by the National Defence Forces.