Ethiopian Government says it has Retaken Historic town, Lalibela from Rebels

BoomRadioNG | December 2, 2021

The Ethiopian government has said its troops have recaptured the historic town of Lalibela from Tigrayan rebels. This is the latest victory claimed by the government since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed went to the front lines last week to lead the fight-back.

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) said it had made a “strategic withdrawal” from certain areas. Lalibela, famous for its rock-hewn churches, was captured by the rebels in August.

Earlier on Wednesday, government spokesman Legesse Tulu was quoted by state media as saying the military was also confident of retaking the strategic city of Dessie “in a short period of time”.

Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed

The TPLF captured Dessie last month, in what was seen as a major blow to the government as the city leads to both Addis Ababa and the border with Djibouti.

The government said other towns retaken from the rebels included Shewa Robit, about 220km from Addis Ababa.

Paul Ayorinde