The Ethiopian government claims it wants to seize control of the Tigray region’s airports and other federal facilities “to protect Ethiopia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
This, it claimed in a statement, was required to safeguard its airspace because it had allegedly been “violated by hostile foreign actors supporting the TPLF “.
It claimed that the administration will be able to speed up the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in the area who are being harmed by the continuous conflict.
The statement expresses commitment to resolving the situation through an African Union-led process, but it also suggests that combat may continue despite appeals for de-escalation.
“We believe that there is a need for a comprehensive and negotiated settlement that would bring about durable peace,” the statement added.
The government’s comments come as the AU urged the warring parties to renew their commitment to peace negotiations.
Tigrayan forces said on Sunday in response to the AU call that they were “ready to abide by an immediate cessation of hostilities”.
They also called on the global community “to compel the Eritrean army to withdraw from Tigray”.
Eritrea, an ally of the Ethiopian government, has been aiding its neighbour in the fight against the Tigray forces.
The Ethiopian government vowed on Monday to forgo urban battles and grant humanitarian access in areas under its control.
However, a number of international voices have raised the concern over the bombing of places like Shire and the deaths of people, including at least one aid worker.
This is coming after the International Rescue Committee reported on Saturday that a humanitarian worker was one of three individuals murdered following an airstrike on the town of Shire in northern Tigray, Ethiopia.
The aid worker, who was a member of IRC’s health and nutrition team, passed away on Friday as a result of wounds he received while providing help to women and children, IRC said in a statement.