Saudi Arabia urged on Friday its citizens in Ethiopia to leave the country as soon as possible, as concern rises of Tigrayan fighters advancing an assault on the capital Addis Ababa.
“Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Ethiopia calls on all Saudi citizens in Ethiopia to leave as soon as possible, given the current situation,” the embassy said in a statement, urging citizens to be extremely careful and alert.
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) formed an alliance with eight other anti-government factions to oust Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government, the latest development in a year-long war that has claimed the lives of thousands and displaced more than two million people.
Tigrayan and allied forces have threatened to march on Addis Ababa.
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The Ethiopian army is preparing for a confrontation and has asked retired military personnel to rejoin the army to fight the Tigrayan forces.
The international community has renewed calls for a ceasefire. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday: “We call on the Government of Ethiopia to halt its military campaign, including air strikes in population centers in Tigray and mobilization of ethnic militias.”
He added: “We call on the forces of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) to immediately stop the current advance towards Addis Ababa.”
