Debretsion Gebremichael: We have changed strategy, Tigray will prevail

ADDIS ABABA - Tigray regional President Debretsion Gebremichael says the Tigray Defense Forces [TDF] have changed strategy and will in the long run prevail in the ongoing war with Ethiopia National Defense Forces [ENDF].

Already, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has left the frontline after two weeks of intensive fighting which saw TDF retreat as it seeks solutions, probably counterattack, which could be catastrophic in long run.

The Tigrayan spokesman, Getachew Reda, underlined the point in a Tweet when he said: “Speaking of stories of courage, perseverance and heroism, a Tigray Army unit traveled more than 158 KMs on foot in a matter of two days and took on and dealt a mortal blow to a several thousand strong enemy contingent. Now that’s news."

The Tigray President, Debretsion Gebremichael, said in a statement that:

“We evaluated the overall situation, both ours as well as that of the enemy, and arrived at the decision on our own. ‘We have to turn back; we shouldn’t continue in the present [course]; we have to carry out additional tasks, additional adjustments’ – it was after we identified this that we arrived at the decision," he noted.

"It was a tough decision but one which had to be made. We have to understand that it was a correct decision…[The decision] wasn’t made because of diplomatic pressure or through discussions. We don’t make discussions which the people of Tigray are not aware of or diplomatic activities which the people of Tigray has not accepted…This is a time of fierce struggle.”

Already, the Tigray Defence Forces withdrew – they were neither defeated on the battlefield nor were they routed. Anyone looking at their long supply lines would have seen they were vulnerable to attack. The withdrawal was hardly surprising.

Prime Minister Abiy has put out a statement declaring that this is “The First Chapter Accompanied by Victory”. This is by no means the first time he has declared victory.

In November last year, Prime Minister Abiy said that the conflict had been “successfully concluded”.

In reality, Tigrayan fighters had withdrawn into the hills and mountains and were mounting a ferocious guerilla campaign against the invading Ethiopian, Amhara, and Eritrean troops.

It took until April 2021 for the Prime Minister to admit that heavy fighting was taking place on no fewer than eight fronts. Then in June 2021, the Tigrayan troops were able to re-capture Mekelle, to jubilation.

The war could go on for some time after both parties refused to agree to declare a ceasefire, amid international community pressure, which is yet to yield fruits. Several people have died in the current war with millions displaced as TDF and ENDF continue to clash.

GAROWE ONLINE