Timeline: Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

The month of November witnessed the culmination of a long-drawn standoff between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), who were ruling northernmost Tigray province.

A three-week war between the Ethiopian National Defense Forces and the once-all-too-powerful TPLF came to a halt on Nov. 28 when Abiy declared victory.

He said the remaining work left is to arrest the TPLF leaders, senior rebel commanders, reconstruction Tigray, installing the provisional administration, and restoring relief supply.

During the military operation, 41,000 people escaped to neighboring Sudan, according to the UNHCR. While Ethiopia has claimed victory, the TPLF has not given up fight and its leaders have gone into hiding raising fears of their regrouping.

Here is the timeline of the standoff and military operation:

January 2019:

Representatives of Peace Ministry travels to Mekelle -- the capital city of Tigray Region to engage TPLF. The mission fails.

June 2020:

50 religious and community representatives travel to Mekelle to hold talks with the provincial government led by TPLF and other political leaders. Talks fail once again.

July:

Political parties urge Prime Minister Abiy to take swift action against TPLF. Some of them question the federal government for ignoring transgressions of TPLF.

September:

Tigray authorities hold elections in defiance of the federal government, which decides to delay polls due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Oct. 5:

TPLF recalls all representatives from the lower chamber of the Ethiopian parliament, declaring it will not recognize any of the federal state organs.

Nov. 4:

TPLF attacks the Northern Command of the Ethiopian National Defense Force in the Tigray Region. Several people lost lives, light and heavy weapons are looted.

Nov. 6:

Abiy orders the launch of an airstrike on several locations in the Tigray region. Sudan closes its borders with Ethiopia. UN calls for immediate de-escalation of tensions and peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Nov. 8:

Abiy replaces several high-ranking officials, the head of intelligence, the army chief, and the foreign minister.

Nov. 9:

In an ethnically-motivated attack Samri, a TPLF backed group attacks Amharan ethnic community in Maikadra town. Ethiopian Human Rights Commission confirms killings by the youth identifying themselves as Tigrayans.

Nov. 10:

Ethiopian force takes over Humera Airport. Several Tigrayan troops surrender to the Ethiopian military.

Nov. 23:

Abiy gives a 72-hour ultimatum to Tigray forces. But the TPLF vows to keep on fighting.

Nov. 28:

Abiy Ahmed announces completion of military operation after forces enter Mekele, the regional capital.

Dec.1:

Keria Ibrahim, one of the nine TPLF executive committee members and former speaker of the Ethiopian parliament, surrenders to security forces.

Dec. 2:

Ethiopia signs deal with UN allowing humanitarian access in the conflict area to help displaced people.