Fleeing Tigray war, Thousands of Ethiopians Cross River to Sudan

On Saturday, Thousands of Ethiopians fled war in the northern Tigray region by crossing a border river into neighboring Sudan, some in boats, some swimming or wading through the water.

The Ethiopian refugees gave accounts of the escalating conflict in Tigray state, where government forces are battling fighters loyal to rebellious local leaders.

The small town is home to a camp hosting 8,000 refugees. Several hundred arrived on Saturday morning with hundreds more crowded onto the rocky bank of the Tekeze river.

They told stories of artillery attacks and shooting in the streets, with fighting spilling over into neighbouring Amhara state.

With access blocked to Tigray and communications largely down, it was impossible to verify the state of the conflict or to corroborate the refugees’ accounts.

“We are hungry and we’re afraid that they will kill us,” said an old woman, referring to government troops battling the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

She spoke moments after paying the owner of a small boat 30 Ethiopian Biir (about 80 U.S. cents) to bring her across the river, while women and children were seen swimming. Refugees said one person drowned while trying to cross the night before.

Niqisti, 42, said her brother was shot dead by government-allied militiamen in front of their home in Humera in Tigray state and her small restaurant was looted. It was not possible to verify her account.

Sudanese officials were registering refugees.

“People are hungry and the flow of refugees is continuing but we have little to offer,” said Salah Ramadan, head of the border town’s administration.

Mubarak Abdallah, a 28-year old Sudanese farmer, said supplies in the local food market were dwindling.