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#Ethiopia - I spoke to two soldiers of ENDF’s northern command who were among thousands of soldiers under arrest of #TPLF since the conflict broke out on November 03. After travelling for four nights they arrived in Sekota town of the neighbouring #Amhara state, yesterday.
From what they told me:
- On the night of November 03 they were suddenly surrounded and fired at by TPLF special force and militias. Most of the soldiers were unarmed, their weapons locked in a store room. Those who were armed and have access to their weapons tried to fight back.
- On the night of November 03 they were suddenly surrounded and fired at by TPLF special force and militias. Most of the soldiers were unarmed, their weapons locked in a store room. Those who were armed and have access to their weapons tried to fight back.
- Their commanders who were ethnic Tigrayans ordered them to ceasefire, disarm and surrender.
Priests and elders were also sent to convince them surrender.
Most of the soldiers surrendered, those who refused to do so were shot killed.
Priests and elders were also sent to convince them surrender.
Most of the soldiers surrendered, those who refused to do so were shot killed.
- About 4000 disarmed soldiers were transported from around Adigrat to a place called Idaga Hamus two days later, kept there for a week and then taken to Abi Adi where they joined other troops of the northern command, federal police, air force etc who surrendered to TPLF.
- They are over 10,000 all together. They were kept in three different camps in Abi Adi under very difficult conditions. For nearly two weeks they were given only two loafs of bread a day. No enough water to drink. Their mobile phones, money and other stuffs confiscated.
- Towards the end of last week they were given three options: 1) Join TPLF forces and fight alongside them 2) Live in Tigray as civilians 3) To be transported to their homes. Most of the soldiers chose the third option.
- Last Friday, they were ordered to take off their military uniforms - which was later collected and burnt. They were told to get on a lorry after their names registered. About 500 soldiers per a long lorry. They crossed Tekeze river and arrived in Amhara, Sekota in four days.
- Significant number of troops (in thousands) most of them commanders, heavy weaponry operators and women soldiers are still in the hands of the TPLF. Those i spoke to are very worried about safety of their fellow soldiers whom they left behind.
- They despised the attack against the northern command of the ENDF saying that it was unprecedented. They said only a week prior to the attack members of the army were fighting locust swarms. They look forward to recover and return back to their jobs.
