UAE supports Ethiopian government, Qatar calls for fighting to stop — Euronews
The United Arab Emirates expressed support for Ethiopia’s government amid renewed fighting in the north of the country, while Qatar called for it to stop immediately. According to the Afar Pastoralist Development Association, around 150,000 people have been displaced by the fighting.
As Euronews reports, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said that the escalation against Ethiopia’s federal forces threatens the country’s unity and sovereignty, as well as the stability of the Horn of Africa. Doha called for civilians to be protected, hostilities to cease, and the Pretoria peace agreement between Tigray and Ethiopia to be observed.
Qatar did not name the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and the new alliance of armed groups fighting against the federal government. At the same time, the country stated its full support for efforts to reduce tensions and settle disputes through dialogue.
UAE statement and fighting in Tigray
UAE Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan declared “full solidarity with the government and people” of Ethiopia. The Emirates condemned what it described as attacks by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and its allies on federal forces, the seizure of airports in Tigray, and the spread of fighting to the neighboring Afar and Amhara regions.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Last week, Tigrayan forces seized the airports in Mekelle, Axum and Shire, after which Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to the region. The TPLF says it is acting defensively following attacks by federal forces using drones, artillery and ground troops. The federal government, for its part, accuses the group of a pre-planned offensive.
Wounded people and mutual accusations
Doctors Without Borders reported that from September 22 to 25, the number of wounded people treated at hospitals in Korem and Alamata exceeded 420. More than 300 other wounded people were taken to Suhul Hospital last week.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was seriously concerned by the seizure of three airports and the spread of hostilities beyond Tigray. He called on all sides to stop fighting, protect civilians, ensure humanitarian organizations have access to people in need of assistance, and return to negotiations within the peace agreement.
Ethiopia’s Chief of General Staff, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting armed groups fighting against the government, without providing evidence. Sudan’s army rejected the accusations, while Eritrea also denied supporting armed groups. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry did not directly mention Ethiopia but called assumptions about Cairo’s interference in the affairs of other states unfounded.
