Ethiopian forces have captured Mekelle, the Tigrayan capital.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced this in tweets on Saturday, as he said the “Tigrayan criminals” will now be hunted by the Federal Police.
Ahmed on Friday met African envoys in Addis Ababa and reiterated that civilians in the region will not be harmed in the final offensive.
“I am pleased to share that we have completed and ceased the military operations in the #Tigray region.
“Our focus now will be on rebuilding the region and providing humanitarian assistance while Federal Police apprehend the TPLF clique.”
He said the town is now under the control of National Defence Forces, as humanitarian assistance will be provided to inhabitants of the region.
Recall that Ethiopia earlier announced that a Tigrayan town, Wikro, 50km north of Mekelle has been captured.
Tigray officials are yet to react to the Prime Minister’s claims as the region has been cut off from internet and phone access.
Both forces have been at daggers drawn since the 4th of November when Ethiopia accused Tigrayan forces of attacking state properties.