Ethiopian prime minister’s office said on Wednesday, that government forces and their regional allies have recaptured the town of Lalibela, a United Nations World Heritage Site, from Tigrayan forces. This is the latest in a string of towns the military says it has retaken.
Also on Wednesday, China’s foreign minister Wang Yi arrived in Addis Ababa, prompting Ethiopia’s foreign ministry to appreciate him in a tweet for “disregarding the unfounded rhetoric on the deteriorating security situations in the country”.
These developments are a boost for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government, and Wang’s visit served as a pointed reminder to Western governments pressing for a ceasefire that Ethiopia maintains other alliances.
The capture of Lalibela, home to ancient churches and a holy site for millions of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, is a significant symbolic gain for the government.
Forces aligned with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) had taken control of the town, in the Amhara region, in early August.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office said in a tweet,” the historic town of Lalibela has been liberated.”
TPLF spokesperson Getachew Reda is yet to respond to government’s claims. Earlier in the day, Abiy’s office said government soldiers supported by regional forces had recaptured other territory from rebellious Tigrayan fighters.
Over the weekend, government troops retook Chifra town in Afar region after Abiy left the capital Addis Ababa to direct fighting from the frontlines.
Ethiopian soldiers now control the town of Shewa Robit, 220 km (136 miles) northeast of Addis Ababa, and eight other towns and villages.
Gains by the military in Afar and Amhara would be a blow to Tigrayan forces, who had threatened to either advance further southwards through Amhara and march on the capital, or head eastwards and threaten a road linking landlocked Ethiopia to the region’s main port.
The year-old conflict between the federal government and the leadership of the northern region of Tigray has killed thousands of civilians, forced millions to flee their homes, and made more than 9 million people dependent on food aid.
Ethiopia, Africa’s second largest nation and a regional diplomatic heavyweight was once an ally for Western security forces seeking to counter insurgency. But relations have soured amid increasing allegations of major human rights violations committed during the conflict.
Minister Yi maintained that his country will not interfere in Ethiopia’s internal affairs. He added that China is opposed to any foreign powers meddling in the ongoing conflict in the country.
