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Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has declared war on the TPLF, a paramilitary force in the country's Tigray region. Abiy's allies accuse TPLF of soaring division, while Tigray leaders view Abiy as monopolizing power.
According to eyewitnesses, Ethiopian fighter jets on Thursday bombed Tigrayan People's Liberation Front positions - a clear sign of escalation in one of Africa's most populous and well-armed nations.
Prime Minister Abiy said there had been many casualties on the TPLF side, and there are reports of several Ethiopian Defense Force injured in the fighting.
The number of casualties from both sides is not yet precisely clear as the government has imposed a six-month curfew and cut off all internet and phone connectivity.
According to observers, the ongoing fighting between Ethiopian troops and the TPLF seemed inevitable after the relationship between TPLF leaders and Abiy deteriorated when Abiy became prime minister.
The International Crisis Group NGO warned that Tigray's conflict risks fracturing...