Telemet in tense situation as TPLF mobilize forces to recapture the area militarily

 Tension in Telemet, North Gondar, reported since last week after the TPLF mobilized forces from the Tigray region with an apparent move to recapture the areas militarily just like it did in the Raya areas, North Ethiopia. 

Telemet

BBC Amharic, on Saturday, reported that it spoke to  residents and administration in the area about the development. They have confirmed that the TPLF forces attempted to enter Telemet area – which has been described by the Federal government and some international actors as controversial areas while TPLF and the U.S. administration had been referring to them as “western Tigray.” 

Molalegne, head of East Telemet Administration, is cited as saying “The Tigray forces have been made to leave the area and vacate,” following efforts by security forces in the area and defense force. 

He seemed to have credited the defense force for the withdrawal of “Tigray forces” following communication with leaders (unspecified if it was federal government leaders or the TPLF leaders) to avoid conflict. 

The authorities in the area think that TPLF forces (they are described as “Tigray Forces”) intention, in the past few weeks, was to demolish interim administration in the area and implement a plan to return displaced people. 

A little over a week ago, there was a confirmed report that TPLF forces launched an attack  in Adarkay district of North Gondar, Ali Ghiorgis Kebele where they killed at least 15 civilians and wounded three others. Houses in the locality where the attack took place were reduced to ashes. 

In April this year, Tadesse Worede, Deputy President of  Interim Tigray Regional Administration unveiled plans to demolish interim administrations in the “contested” area and return displaced people. He made claims that the intended action was in accordance with the Federal government. 

Similar situation in Raya 

In March 2024, the TPLF forces mobilized what was described as heavily armed troops south of the Tigray region to control several districts of Raya – another area where the “Tigray forces” have been making claims of land. According to OCHA, well over 50,00 residents were displaced following the forceful military take over of the area. There have also been reports of human rights abuse in the area including killings, rape and kidnapping.

Currently, the TPLF forces are reportedly camped in schools in the area and people in many parts of Raya have been taking to the streets to protest the forceful military moves. People in the area feel betrayed by the Federal government, according to an EMS report this week. The Federal government and TPLF have been moving in the direction of what appears to be a political/military alliance after the Pretoria Agreement. They have already conducted three rounds of political dialogue in Mekelle and Addis Ababa. 

Raya and Wolkait/Telemet areas have traditionally been non-ethnic Tigray areas. It was after the TPLF took control of central government power in 1991 that these areas were incorporated into the Tigray region. Since then there have been movements in the areas protesting imposed Tigray Identity. 

Source: https://borkena.com/2024/06/15/ethiopia-telemet-in-tense-situation-as-tplf-mobilize-forces-to-recapture-it/