Ethiopia: Tigrayan rebels have taken over the town of Lalibela

The Church of Saint-George, a masterpiece carved out of a block in the volcanic rock of Lalibela, in the Amhara region, in northern Ethiopia.

© RFI / Vincent Dublange

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

Ethiopia's civil war is more uncertain than ever.

The federal army and the pro-government coalition of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed have been retaking city after city for two weeks, forcing the Tigrayan rebels to withdraw.

But against all odds, the latter launched a new counteroffensive in the north of the Amhara region.

The Tigrayan soldiers seized again, Sunday, December 12, the city of Lalibela, classified as world heritage by Unesco.

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With our correspondent in Addis Ababa,

They had left Lalibela less than two weeks ago in

.

The Tigrayan rebels are already back in the city, according to several residents, this Sunday.

The Tigrayan Defense Forces are leading a major counteroffensive, according to their commanders. 

However, they seemed in difficulty for two weeks, carrying out a vast withdrawal in the face of the firepower of the government coalition, in particular aided by the drone strikes.

The rebels also enter Gashena

Lalibela, as such, does not represent a major military objective.

This city of 20,000 inhabitants is located far from any road junction.

But it is extremely symbolic, known worldwide for

.

More significant: the Tigrayan rebels also entered the agglomeration of Gashena, which it is on a strategic axis. 

This umpteenth rebound, if it continues, could mark a new phase in this war which has been going on for thirteen months. 

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• Ethiopia

• Abiy Ahmed

• Unesco