Three civilians were found dead as Eritrean troops shot at them in Tigray. The act was denounced by Amnesty International in a report published yesterday April 14.

“Amnesty International can confirm that Eritrean troops killed three people and injured at least 19 in an unprovoked attack on civilians in the center of Adwa town on 12 April. Witnesses told Amnesty International that Eritrean troops were passing through the town located in the Tigray region when they suddenly opened fire at people on the main street close to the bus station,” the statement said. Several witnesses reported that the soldiers who shot at the civilians were wearing the Eritrean defense force camouflages and were speaking in Tigrinya, the official language in Eritrea and Tigray.  

According to medical sources, all the people rushed to the hospital had either been shot in their chests, stomachs, legs, or hands. Six of them were in a really bad state as of April 13.

This accusation by Amnesty International comes at a time when the international community is closely vetting the Tigray case to shed light on the crimes and violence that occurred during the conflict. After he repeatedly denied Eritrean meddling in the conflict, the Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed finally acknowledged the intervention of Asmara.

“There must be justice and accountability for war crimes and human rights violations in Tigray. This attack and other allegations of violations must be independently and impartially investigated by an international inquiry. Ethiopia and Eritrea must fully cooperate with such investigations and ensure full reparation for victims and their families,” said Sarah Jackson, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn, and the Great Lakes.

Last March 25, the United Nations and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission announced a joint investigation into the situation in Tigray. Following allegations of human rights violations against his new ally, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced a few weeks ago that the Eritrean army would withdraw from the conflict in Tigray, without giving a deadline.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou