UK Condemns Military Escalation in Northern Ethiopia

London, September 24 (KUNA) -- Britain today condemned the military escalation in northern Ethiopia and the attacks by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) in the Afar region and southern Tigray. A spokesperson for the British government warned in a statement that a resumption of conflict would have severe consequences for the population in Tigray and across the wider region, calling for an immediate halt to hostilities and a return to dialogue under African Union-led mediation. The United Kingdom reiterated its rejection of the goal announced by the Alliance for National Salvation (ANS) to overthrow the Ethiopian government, urging all parties to pursue dialogue and reach a peaceful political settlement. The spokesperson stressed the need to protect civilians, ensure that those affected by the conflict can access essential services and life-saving humanitarian aid, and guarantee that such aid reaches beneficiaries safely and without obstruction, as well as to protect humanitarian workers. It is recalled that the renewed attacks in northern Ethiopia were accompanied by the TPLF’s seizure of the civilian airports in Mekelle, Axum, and Shire, as well as the detention of government officials, which led to the suspension of civilian air transport. (End) M.R.N. / S.M.A.