ADDIS ABABA (BLOOMBERG) - Ethiopia's northern Amhara province has urged its adults to enlist in the military and fight rebels advancing from the neighbouring Tigray region, potentially intensifying the nine-month conflict. The Ethiopian National Defence Forces withdrew from Tigray after Mr Abiy unilaterally declared a ceasefire at the end of June. However, the rebels rejected the cease-fire and have since regained control of the regional capital and moved to retake other towns. Getachew has previously said Tigray is not attempting to gain territory outside its region and is instead trying to "degrade enemy forces". The federal government denounced the rebels for rejecting the ceasefire which Mr Abiy said would enable farmers to return to their fields and delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Source: Ethiopian News July 26, 2021 07:41 UTC