Blinken calls for urgent truce in Ethiopia after military escalation

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, 2nd left on the battle front

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, 2nd left on the battle front

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for urgent negotiations over the Ethiopian crisis, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said.

The comments came hours after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appeared on the frontline with the national army, further escalating the war.

“Secretary Blinken expressed grave concern about worrying signs of military escalation in Ethiopia and emphasised the need to urgently move to negotiations,” Ned Price said in a statement late on Friday.

Price released the statement after a phone call between Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta and Blinken.

On Friday, Ethiopia’s state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting reported that Abiy was on the frontline with the army fighting rebellious Tigrayan forces in the northeastern Afar region.

Abiy posted the same video on his Twitter account.

Abiy’s government has been fighting Tigrayan forces for more than a year, in a conflict that has killed thousands and displaced millions in Africa’s second-most populous nation.

Ethiopian News Agency in an update claimed the Ethiopian security forces are marching to Bati Kombolcha after they took control of mountains around Bati.

According to Government Communication Service, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed who is leading the entire security forces to carry out the survival campaign is fulfilling his promise to the people of Ethiopia.

Inspired by the determination of the premier, Ethiopian security forces had already liberated Kasagita from the terrorist TPLF in the battle of Bati Kasagita front and then controlled Burka and town and mountains around Bati town.

They are now heading to Bati Kombolcha.

In the Afar region, Chifra front, the army is advancing after liberating Chiftu, Chifra town and its environs from the invaders.

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