Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a spot information alert urging caution over the situation in northern Ethiopia.
On September 23, it was reported that the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF), aligned with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), had taken control of Alula Aba Nega Airport (Mekelle Airport) in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region. Ethiopian Airlines has currently suspended flights to and from Mekelle, Axum, and Shire.
There have also been reports that TDF attacks have extended beyond the Tigray Region to the neighboring Afar and Amhara Regions. In addition, on September 20, it was reported that seven Ethiopian anti-government organizations, including the TPLF, had formed an alliance aimed at removing the current administration.
In the Tigray Region, the TPLF has long been active with the aim of removing the federal government, and travel advisories had already been issued in light of this situation. Much of the Tigray Region has long been under Level 3 travel advisory (Avoid All Travel), while the western part of the region, the border area with Eritrea, and the border area with the Amhara Region are under Level 4 travel advisory (Evacuate and Avoid All Travel). Other regions of Ethiopia are also subject to travel advisories ranging from Level 1 to Level 4.
While noting that no unusual developments have currently been observed outside the Tigray Region and the neighboring Afar and Amhara Regions, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is urging people staying in Ethiopia to obtain the latest relevant information, remain fully aware of their surroundings, and take steps to ensure their own safety. The ministry is also asking them to recheck their preparedness of personal belongings and emergency stockpiled supplies in case the situation deteriorates.
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This article was generated using automatic translation by GPT-4 API. The translation may not be accurate.
