The two sides have been fighting for almost a year in a conflict that has killed thousands of people and displaced more than two million amid a power struggle between the TPLF and the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's central government. "I can assure you that there is no deliberate or intended act that put the efforts of UN humanitarian staff and their plan of delivering aid to the disadvantage (sic) group," Legesse said in a text message to Reuters.Įthiopian army spokesperson Colonel Getnet Adene did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Legesse, the government spokesperson, rejected the TPLF accusation. "Our air defence units knew the UN plane was scheduled to land (and) it was due in large measure to their restraint it was not caught in a crossfire," he said in a tweet.
TPLF spokesperson Getachew Reda accused the government of putting the U.N. The 11 passengers on board Friday's flight were aid workers travelling to a region where some 7 million people, including 5 million in Tigray, need humanitarian help, another U.N. The incident raises serious concerns for the safety of aid workers trying to help civilians in need, Griffiths said in a statement, adding that all parties to the conflict should respect international humanitarian law including protecting humanitarian staff and assets from harm. had not received any prior warning of the attacks on Mekelle and had received the necessary clearances for the flight. global aid chief Martin Griffiths said the U.N. suspended all flights to Mekelle after Friday's incident. It was the fourth day this week that Mekelle had been attacked. Tigrai TV, controlled by the TPLF-led regional administration that is not recognised by Addis Ababa, reported that 11 civilians were wounded in the air strike. Reuters was not able to independently confirm either account.