This archive report was first published on 25 June 2021.
June 25, 2021, marked a day of intense conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, with reports of airstrikes and civilian casualties.
However, the Ethiopian army has denied carrying out airstrikes on a market in Togogo, a town in the Tigray region, despite eyewitness accounts and hospital sources claiming that over 50 civilians were killed in the attack.
Colonel Getnet, a spokesman for the Ethiopian Defense Forces, stated, "We haven't carried out air strikes on a market place. How can this be? The army has the capability to hit targets with precision."
He further claimed that the airstrikes targeted only rebels who had gathered to celebrate Martyrs' Day, and that those killed were militants in civilian clothing.
However, eyewitnesses and hospital sources contradict this claim, stating that innocent people were killed in the attack.
The strikes came a day after the Tigray Defence Forces (TDF) reported 'major' victories against allied Ethiopian and Eritrean forces.
Colonel Getnet also dismissed reports that Tigrinya forces had taken control of key areas, including Adigrat, a strategic town located 45 km from the Eritrean border.
"TPLF is engaged in a campaign of false information," he said.
Furthermore, the Ethiopian army was accused of blocking ambulances belonging to NGOs, including the Red Cross, from reaching victims in the town, which is located 25 km northwest of the regional capital, Mekelle.
A medical team from Mekelle Ayder Hospital was also stopped at checkpoints and detained for hours after attempting to reach the scene via a different route.
The European Union and the United States have condemned the airstrikes, with the US Department of State stating, "Denying victims urgently needed medical care is heinous and absolutely unacceptable."
The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs, Joseph Borrell, has placed Ethiopia on the agenda for the next Foreign Affairs Council in July to discuss possible responses with EU member states.
