Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London,March 18፡2025 (Tigray Herald)
Tigray on the Brink: Military Faction’s Takeover Sparks Fear, Violence, and Resistance
By Benedict Mikael
In a dramatic and alarming turn of events, military officers identifying themselves as “Corps and Above Corps” held a congress and officially declared their allegiance to the TPLF faction led by Debretsion Gebremichael.
Corps and Above Corps” held a congress and officially declared their allegiance to the TPLF faction led by Debretsion Gebremichael on January 23,2025
This faction had previously conducted an illegal congress, which the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) had explicitly barred from political activity for failing to adhere to legal requirements. Following their declaration, these military officers forcefully took over the Tigray Interim Regional Administration (TIRA), committing widespread violence and abductions against civilians and government officials. The takeover has plunged the region into further turmoil, deepening political divisions and creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
The Pretoria Peace Agreement, signed in November 2022, was intended to bring lasting peace to Tigray by ensuring the disarmament of armed groups and the re-establishment of a legitimate civilian government. However, the actions of the Debretsion-led TPLF faction and its military allies directly violate this agreement in several ways.
The agreement emphasized the peaceful transition of governance in Tigray, yet this faction has forcefully removed the interim administration instead of allowing a democratic process. Instead of fully disarming, as required by the agreement, the military faction continues to use force to gain political control, creating further instability.
Civilians and government officials who were supposed to be protected under the agreement are now targets of abductions, killings, and violent attacks. The forced removal of a legally established interim government also jeopardizes peace efforts and weakens governance structures, making Tigray more vulnerable to further conflict.
As they seized control of government offices, the faction carried out a series of kidnappings, assaults, and killings. Several high-ranking interim administration officials were abducted, including Kidu Gebretsadiq, head of Peace and Security for the Eastern Zone, who was held captive for days, and Selomon Tikue, head of the Eastern Zone, who was abducted for hours. In Adigudom, both Engineer Amdom, the mayor, and Awot Tewelde, the vice mayor, were held for days, while Yirga Hiluf, head of Communication and PR, was also taken.
Civilians have not been spared from the violence. Alemu Gebrihiwot and Mearigu Wahid, both residents of Adigudom, were shot and injured, while Berhan Kahsay was shot and killed. The abductions extended beyond Adigudom to Samre, where Solomon Embaye, Birhanu Belay, Mengesha Girmay, and another individual named Berhanu were taken.
In Mekelle, a prominent journalist and civic leader, Dr. Haile Gebru, was abducted. Haile, a former journalist at Tigray TV and chairman of the Seharti Development Association, managed to post distress messages on Facebook as he was taken from his home.
His final post read: “I sincerely apologize for my slander against Army 26.” The circumstances surrounding his statement remain unclear, raising fears of coercion or torture. Additionally, he had sent a message to a friend shortly before his abduction, warning: “They are searching for me.”
Other acts of violence include the brutal beating of Dagnew Yohannes in Mekelle and shootings in Mekoni, where Mesele Hiluf and Meazig Gebreezgabiher were critically injured, and Mesele Tesfay was killed. These violent acts have spread fear and uncertainty among the people of Tigray, who are now facing renewed instability after years of suffering.
The public, already reeling from years of war and humanitarian crises, now faces an imminent threat of renewed conflict. Many have lost faith in the international community, believing that world leaders and organizations have done little beyond issuing statements of concern. Frustration is growing among Tigrayans, who argue that no tangible action has been taken to prevent further violence or ensure accountability.
In response to the escalating crisis, a resistance movement is reportedly forming in Shiket and Raya, where people are mobilizing in preparation for potential armed conflict. Those joining the movement feel abandoned by the international community and believe that external diplomatic efforts will not protect them. With the region now divided between those in power and those resisting, Tigray risks descending into civil war.
Despite clear evidence of escalating violence and breaches of the Pretoria Agreement, the international community remains largely inactive. Many Tigrayans see this as a betrayal, arguing that world leaders and organizations have failed to take meaningful action beyond issuing statements of condemnation. The lack of decisive intervention is allowing the crisis to spiral further, increasing the likelihood of another devastating chapter in Tigray’s history.
Conclusion
As the situation continues to unfold, the key question remains: Will the international community finally take concrete action, or will it allow Tigray to descend into another cycle of violence and bloodshed?
