Fighting has again broken out in northern Ethiopia, between government forces and the rebels in Tigray.

Both sides accuse each other of violating the ceasefire agreed in March.

Large scale offensive

Ethiopia's government accuses rebels in Tigray of launching a new offensive against federal forces, five months after a ceasefire halted the worst of the fighting.

Meanwhile, the rebels accuse the government of doing the same.

In a statement, authorities in Tigray claim that Ethiopian forces, together with Amharic special forces and militias, have launched a large-scale offensive against Alamata, the capital of southern Tigray.

Ethiopia's air force says it has shot down a plane carrying weapons to be used by the Tigrean People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

The plane was reportedly crossing the border from Sudan when it was shot down, according to the Air Force, which did not provide a date for the incident.

Calling for AU mediation

The ceasefire was broken after both sides have repeatedly accused each other of a lack of progress in negotiations to end the conflict.

Getachew Reda, spokesperson for the TPLF, writes on Twitter that the offensive follows a "week-long provocation" in the nearby Amhara region, which Ethiopia's military denies.

They in turn accuse the Tigrean forces of contributing to unrest.

The Ethiopian government says it is ready to talk, but insists the African Union (AU) should lead the mediation.

AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat expresses "deep concern" about the fighting, and calls for a de-escalation.

Mahamat appeals to the parties to "resume talks to secure a peaceful solution", AU writes in a statement.

Guterres: Shocked and saddened

UN Secretary-General António Guterres also calls on the parties to immediately return to the previous ceasefire.

- I am deeply shocked and saddened that hostilities have resumed in Ethiopia.

My strong plea is for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for the resumption of peace talks, says Guterres.

The conflict in Ethiopia began in November 2020, when government forces seized Tigray, as the Tigrean People's Liberation Front, which ruled the region, declared it no longer recognized the legitimacy of the Ethiopian central government.