Ethiopia Declares State of Emergency in Tigray

In its 21st extraordinary meeting, the Ethiopian Cabinet declared on Wedensday a state of emergency for a period of six months in Tigray State, according to Sky News Arabia.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that the government of the Tigray region had crossed the last point of the red line, accusing it of attacking the federal forces stationed there.

Ahmed confirmed that the Federal Forces would use force to secure the country.

Earlier, a spokeswoman for Abiy Ahmed confirmed to Reuters that the army had already started military operations in the Tigray region, hours after the Prime Minister issued an order to deploy to the region.

Ethiopia... Months of Provocation

According to the Ethiopian PM, this move came after "months of provocation and incitement."

It is noteworthy that the statement issued by the office of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed this morning, Wednesday, November 4, and the reported attack immediately raised fears that one of the most populous and powerful African countries will sink again in war.

The Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF) played a major role in the ruling coalition in Ethiopia before Ahmed took power in 2018. He announced comprehensive political reforms that resulted in winning the Nobel Peace Prize last year.

However, those reforms opened up space for old grievances.

There was no immediate word from the TPLF, and all internet and phone lines in the northern Tigray region were cut off after the announcement.