Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald)
Eritrean Troops Remain in Eastern Tigray Despite Social Media Rumors, Dimtsi Weyane Reports
May 23, 2025 Claims circulating on social media that Eritrean troops have withdrawn from areas in Eastern Tigray are false and misleading, according to findings by Dimtsi Weyane and field-based eyewitness reports.
Social media users have been spreading unverified information suggesting that Eritrean forces have exited the Irob and Gulomakeda districts. However, DW confirms through on-the-ground sources that Eritrean troops remain fully deployed in at least four localities in both districts and continue to occupy large parts of eastern zone Tigray territory.
Adding to these findings, Mulugeta Atsbeha, a reporter with Voice of America (VOA), stated:
“Eritrean forces have not withdrawn from Irob or Zalambessa.Claims on Facebook and YouTube suggesting a pullback are baseless.
A local official from Irob district told me clearly: ‘As of now, Eritrean troops are still here. Nothing has changed.’Four localities in the district remain under firm Eritrean control.
Likewise, a woman from Zalambessa told me: ‘Nothing new has happened. Troops are still occupying the area.’
As for reports claiming withdrawal from northwestern zones—those too are questionable and need further verification.”
Local residents warn that the dissemination of such false claims especially in vulnerable communities poses a serious risk by lowering public vigilance and encouraging misinformation. They emphasize that genuine peace and normalization cannot begin until a full, transparent Eritrean withdrawal is confirmed on the ground.
Dimtsi Weyane urges both the public and the authorities to rely on verified updates and to remain cautious of unconfirmed online content. The network also calls on the Tigray Interim Administration and community leaders to provide clear, consistent responses to such critical issues.
Source፡TMH
