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Rights Group Calls For Independent Investigation of Shelling in Ethiopia's
Tigray Region

Salem Solomon

   WASHINGTON - A new Human Rights Watch report calls for an independent
   investigation into alleged shelling of civilian areas in the Tigray
   region by Ethiopia's federal forces.

   "Artillery attacks at the start of the armed conflict struck homes,
   hospitals, schools, and markets in the city of Mekelle, and the towns
   of Humera and Shire, killing at least 83 civilians, including children,
   and wounding over 300," said the report, released Thursday.

   [1]HRW said it spoke to over 30 witnesses, examined satellite imagery,
   and reviewed photographs and videos of the attacks in Humera, Shire,
   and Mekelle. It said the shelling could be a violation of the laws of
   war.

   The Ethiopian government said it conducted precision strikes to
   recapture cities in the hands of the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front
   (TPLF), the regional armed group and former ruling party. The
   government accused the TPLF of defying a decision to postpone elections
   last year and of attacking a federal army base.

   Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said no civilian was harmed in what he termed
   a "law enforcement operation" which began in early November.

References

   1. https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/02/11/ethiopia-unlawful-shelling-tigray-urban-areas

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