Ethiopia calls for international condemnation of TPLF over airport closure

ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian government is calling on the international community to condemn the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) for allegedly deliberately closing down Mekelle airport to humanitarian flights.

Last week, rebel authorities in Mekelle said they do not have enough fuel to operate the airport, resulting in the cancellation of humanitarian flight scheduled to deliver food and medical packages to the northern-most region.

In a statement on Thursday, the Ethiopian government said it “has been facilitating daily air transportation to Tigray for the delivery of pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and nutritional supplements.

“By expanding humanitarian assistance, from June 11th, 2022 to June 17th, 2022, the federal government facilitated the transportation of 22,250 metric tons of food items to the Tigray region by 363 trucks.

“Despite the encumbrance of the TPLF terrorist group, Ethiopia’s federal government demonstrated its unwavering commitment to addressing the region’s humanitarian need.

“But since yesterday, the terrorist group has blocked aid flights to Mekelle airport. The group using the people of Tigray as a weapon of propaganda, once again shows its priority is disseminating false information instead of providing aid to the people.

“The federal government calls on the international community to condemn the recent blockade of flights by the terrorist group and to further investigate the reasons behind it.”