Ethiopian army reports 272 rebel fighters killed after failed offensive

Tigrayan fighters on patrol in Ethiopia's Tigray Region on Thursday. Tensions have risen after the forces launched a major offensive against the federal government in multiple locations [Reuters]

ADDIS ABABA -- The Ethiopian National Defense Force on Thursday said that 272 Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) rebel fighters were killed after the group's failed offensive on Tuesday night.

The Ethiopian army said in a statement that the forces "strongly repelled" the attack in the northeastern part of the country, eventually neutralizing several militants and seizing various types of weapons and ammunition.

According to the statement, the rebel group attempted to infiltrate the North Wollo zone in the country's Amhara region by deploying its forces across several districts, but was forced to retreat due to "the heavy blow it received, losing its assets and manpower."

The Ethiopian army said that in addition to the 272 TPLF rebel fighters killed following the group's failed offensive, "a large number of enemy forces were captured, and 260 enemy forces were wounded."

The latest escalation comes amid heightened tensions in Ethiopia's northernmost Tigray region, following Sunday's announcement of a new alliance formed by seven Ethiopian opposition and armed groups, according to local media.

On Wednesday, the African Union called for utmost restraint and immediate de-escalation amid rising security tensions in northern Ethiopia.

Recent developments have raised concerns about a possible relapse into conflict against the backdrop of the two-year war between Ethiopian federal forces and TPLF-loyal troops from November 2020 to November 2022.

The two-year conflict left millions in urgent need of humanitarian assistance before the two parties signed the landmark Pretoria peace accord in South Africa to end hostilities.