Ethiopian federal forces regain control of town 10 miles south of Tigray border

ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopian federal forces and their regional allies in Amhara and Afar regions have recaptured a strategic town south of the country’s Tigray region, the state communication service has said.

Kobo (sometimes Qobo) is one of the areas that were captured by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) when it launched its attempt to capture the capital Addis Ababa in October.

In a statement, the Ethiopian Government Communication Service said TPLF forces murdered 26 innocent people as it was leaving the town of Kobo two days ago, making the federal forces’ entry into Tigray region inevitable.

The government statement said the “terrorist group massacred 26 innocent civilians in Qobo.”

“The government calls on neutral investigators to investigate the violations of human rights by the terrorist group in Amhara and Afar regions to inform the world about the killing of innocent citizens of the Amhara and Afar region,” the statement said.

It said the government has formed committees to investigate the alleged killings by the insurgent organization.

“Four committees have been formed to conduct criminal investigation, prosecute, look at the issues of displaced citizens, investigate sexual assault and collect funds for rehabilitation,” it said.

The committees will be led by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Peace, the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Finance, it added.