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Ethiopian Forces Claim Gains in Tigray Region

VOA News

   Ethiopian forces are making gains in several towns near Tigray's
   regional capital, one day after the government said it was beginning
   the "final phase" of an offensive in the northern region, the country's
   news agency said Friday.

   Lieutenant General Hassan Ibrahim said in a statement Friday that
   federal forces had captured Wikro "and will control Mekelle in a few
   days," according to the Reuters news agency.

   There was no independent confirmation of the government claims. Phone
   and internet connections to the region have been down since the
   government's military offensive began in early November.

   The continued fighting came as Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed,
   following a meeting with African Union envoys, again ruled out
   negotiating with leaders of the Tigray region.

   Abiy met with three AU envoys -- former Presidents Ellen Johnson
   Sirleaf of Liberia, Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique and Kgalema
   Motlanthe of South Africa --in Addis Ababa on Friday.

   A statement issued after the meeting said Abiy appreciated the
   commitment of the AU envoys "to the principle of African solutions to
   African problems." He said his government was committed to the
   "protection and security of civilians" but made no mention of holding
   talks with the Tigray People's Liberation Front.

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