Ethiopia designates TPLF, OLF-Shene as terror groups

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

Ethiopia on Saturday added two insurgent groups to its terror list, including the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), against which it launched a massive law enforcement operation late last year.

The Council of Ministers approved a resolution to designate the TPLF as a terrorist organization, along with the OLF-Shene after several attacks in different parts of the country targeting civilians and public infrastructure over the past couple of years.

On Nov. 3, TPLF forces attacked the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, killing soldiers while they were sleeping and looting military hardware, prompting the Ethiopian government to launch a sweeping law enforcement operation.

On Nov. 28, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared the military confrontation over after the fall of the regional capital Mekele to the federal army.

TPLF was at the head of a four-party coalition the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front that ruled Ethiopia with a heavy hand for 27 years up until 2028.

According to the local broadcaster FANA, the Council of Ministers listed the two as terrorist organizations due to their activities arming, training, and financing other violent elements in addition to engaging in attacks themselves.

They have been launching attacks against civilians and public infrastructure to achieve political objectives, the FANA reported.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

On Nov. 28, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared the military confrontation over after the fall of the regional capital Mekele to the federal army.

TPLF was at the head of a four-party coalition the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front that ruled Ethiopia with a heavy hand for 27 years up until 2028.

They have been launching attacks against civilians and public infrastructure to achieve political objectives, the FANA reported.