Tigray forces announce their advance south into Ethiopia
The forces of Tigray region, located in northern Ethiopia, announced their advance to the south and seizing a town from the government forces, which highlights their determination to continue fighting until returning to the region's borders before the war.
The conflict erupted in Tigray eight months ago between the forces of the central government and the forces of the ruling Tigray People's Liberation Front in the region.
The Ethiopian government declared victory three weeks later by seizing Maqli, the regional capital, but the front continued fighting.
On June 28, the Front regained control of "Maqli" and now controls most of the region.
But the government of neighboring Amhara province says it has sovereignty over parts to the west and south.
The Amhara region has sent troops to the disputed areas.
Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF) spokesman Getachew Reda told Reuters on Monday that Tigray forces had captured Korem, 170 km south of Maqli, and were advancing to capture the town of Alamata, 20 km further south.
A former resident of Korem now residing in Addis Ababa told Reuters that a member of his family had fled his home and had reached an area connected to a mobile phone service and confirmed fighting had broken out.
Getachew said the MILF wants to restore the pre-war borders and open transport links to allow the movement of people and food aid.
The conflict forced nearly two million people to flee their homes and forced nearly 400,000 people to live in famine.
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