Despite Evidence, Ethiopia Army Denies Targeting Civilians in Airstrike

Authorities in Ethiopia have denied that civilians were targeted or killed in the airstrike at Togoga village outside Tigray’s capital, Mekelle.

The army’s spokesperson Col Getnet Adane told journalists on Thursday that the airstrike’s targets were rebel fighters who were gathered to celebrate Martyrs’ Day.

But the BBC says it has seen evidence of injured women and children receiving emergency treatment in Aider Referral Hospital in Mekelle after the attack.

Eyewitnesses and hospital sources also said dozens might have been killed or injured in the airstrikes, while the International Committee of the Red Cross said it helped evacuate those wounded

Col Getnet also denied claims by rebel fighters, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), of military gains including control of some key areas.

He accused the TPLF of engaging in a misinformation campaign which he said was aimed at getting the government to sit down for negotiations by creating a perception of strength among the international community.

There have been growing calls for a cessation of hostilities which the government has continued to reject.

Renewed fighting is feared to worsen the humanitarian crisis in Tigray in which millions of people are in need of emergency aid.

Meanwhile, a doctor at the hospital told the BBC that at least 60 people were killed and more than 40 were injured.

Reports suggest some of the victims appear to have heavy wounds that look like they have been caused by shrapnel, while the Ethiopian soldiers also blocked most ambulances from reaching Togoga – only two got through.

The victims who reached the hospital said that they had seen many others lying on the ground but they were unsure whether they were dead or unconscious

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