This archive report was first published on 24 June 2021.
June 24, 2021, marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region, as the Tigray Defense Force (TDF) claimed to have downed an Ethiopian military plane suspected of carrying Eritrean troops.
The TDF has been at odds with the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) and their Eritrean allies, who have been accused of carrying out operations in the Tigray region.
According to reports, the plane, a C-130, was struck in the vicinity of Gijet on Wednesday, causing significant damage and loss of life.
Security analysts have described the downing of the aircraft as a painful blow to the Ethiopian military.
Images from the scene show TDF fighters inspecting the debris of the plane.
Meanwhile, a separate airstrike by the ENDF on a market in the Tigray region has left at least 65 people dead and 180 injured, with many more still receiving treatment in various health facilities.
The Ethiopian government has denied targeting civilians, claiming that the attack was aimed at rebel fighters.
However, images from the scene reveal a significant number of civilian casualties, prompting widespread condemnation from the international community, including the United States.
