Blinken calls on Ethiopian Government to end Tigray hostilities

The US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken called for the immediate end to hostilities and the withdrawal of outside forces from Tigray, including Amhara regional security forces and Eritrean troops during a phone call with the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Blinken has expressed his concern about the humanitarian and human rights crisis in the Ethiopian Tigray, urging the Ethiopian government to take immediate steps to help and protect civilians and refugees, in addition to stopping violence.

Blinken also asked Ethiopia to cooperate with the international community to facilitate independent, and international investigations into human rights violations in Ethiopia after the state's recent announcement of full and unhindered humanitarian access in Tigray.

Finally, the secretary stressed that the US is ready to assist in resolving the conflict, and highlighted its commitment to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to the people of Ethiopia.