Mekelle, February 13, 2025 (Tigray Herald)
Urgent Alert and Appeal to the International Community and Human Rights Organizations
TPLF Militias Under General John Medide Yohanes Terrorizing Southern and Southeastern Tigray
The Tigrayan Advocacy for Human Rights and Justice International has received credible and
alarming reports from the Samre Woreda Finarwa District Administration, detailing the
systematic intimidation and terrorization of the local population by armed forces under the
0command of General John Medide Yohanes, Head of the Southern Frontier Command.
We urgently call upon the international community, human rights organizations, and Western
diplomatic missions to condemn and take immediate action against these ongoing atrocities and
flagrant human rights violations.
This is a deliberate and coordinated assault on the people of Southern and Southeastern Tigray,
amounting to a declaration of war against the Tigrayan people. These illegal actions defy the
authority of the Tigray Interim Government and undermine the legitimate aspirations of Tigray’s
citizens for peace and self-governance.
Grave Human Rights Violations and Acts of Terror Against Civilians
On February 13, 2025, the 26th Corps, 2nd Liberation Division, under the command of Hagos
Gebre and General John Medide Yohanes, launched a violent crackdown in Samre Woreda,
targeting a peaceful community meeting on soil conservation and local governance. The
following serious human rights abuses have been reported:
Armed intimidation and violent disruption: Armed militia members stormed the meeting,
forcefully dispersing civilians.
Illegal detentions: Local government officials were arrested after being coerced into
surrendering their weapons and official government seals.
Destruction of critical evidence: The militia confiscated and destroyed mobile phones and vital
administrative documents.
Systematic repression and persecution: Local leaders, administrators, and deputies have been
arbitrarily detained, threatened, and subjected to severe intimidation.
This is not an isolated incident. The TPLF’s 26th Corps, under Hagos Gebre, has engaged in
repeated acts of repression and aggression in the region, escalating tensions and pushing the
local population to the brink of resist Violations of International Law – Condemnation in the Strongest Terms
These actions constitute serious violations of international law, including:
War crimes and crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal
Court (ICC).
Violations of the Geneva Conventions, specifically regarding the protection of civilians and local
governance structures in conflict zones.
Gross human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, and intimidation of
civilians.
We issue a stern warning to all individuals complicit in these illegal actions:
You will be held accountable. Those responsible for these crimes will face justice before national
and international courts. The international community will not turn a blind eye to the systematic
terror inflicted on innocent civilians.
Call to Action – Immediate International Response Required
We urge:
- The United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and European Union (EU) to launch an urgent
investigation into these atrocities and take swift diplomatic and legal action. - The United States, United Kingdom, and Western diplomatic missions to impose targeted
sanctions against those responsible for these crimes. - The International Criminal Court (ICC) to monitor, document, and prepare legal cases for the
prosecution of individuals involved in war crimes and crimes against humanity. - Human rights organizations, international media, and advocacy groups to amplify this crisis
and expose the atrocities to the global community.
Final Warning to the TPLF-Aligned Militia
To those executing these unlawful and inhumane orders:
Cease your crimes immediately, or face direct consequences as the situation risks escalating
into full-scale armed resistance.
Respect the will of the Tigrayan people and the authority of the Tigray Interim Government.
Prepare to face justice—impunity will not be tolerated.
The people of Tigray demand peace, stability, and the full restoration of their fundamental rights.
The international community must act now to prevent further bloodshed and chaos.
Issued by:
Tigrayan Advocacy for Human Rights and Justice International
