Months after a final offensive was launched by the Ethiopian military in its Northern powerhouse, Tigray, the national government of the country has denied allegations of ethnic cleansing levelled against it by the United States.
In November 2020, Ethiopian forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front were immersed in political tension that led to a conflict.
More than one million were forced to seek safety in Sudan as bombs and rockets were fired between both forces.
Investigations into the conflict revealed that more Tigrayans faced trouble in the hands of Ethiopian soldiers with Eritrea also alleged of supporting Ethiopia in the battle and committing war crimes in the process.
United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken accused Ethiopia and Eritrea of engaging in ethnic cleansing as he called for security agents and forces who respect human rights.
The Ethiopian government has since criticised and denied the claims, describing it as spurious and unfounded. In a statement by its Ministry of Freign Affairs on Saturday, Ethiopia said nothing can be described as an “intentional or targeted” ethnic cleaning in Tigray as the country vehemently denied such allegations.
Ethiopian forces drove TPLF forces away from Mekelle, the Tigrayan capital after rounds of offensives and hostilities were exchanged between the warring entities.
Eritrea, border neighbours with Ethiopia has also denied involvement in ethnic cleansing or in the battle against Tigrayan forces.