Fear Spreads Across Ethiopia’s Capital, Addis under Attack by Tigrayans

Authorities in Addis Ababa accelerated their crackdown against ethnic Tigrayans, who are accused of sympathizing with the rebels pressing toward the city.

The U.S. diplomat Jeffrey Feltman landed in the capital for talks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed with the backing of regional African leaders, who are alarmed about a possible all-out collapse in Ethiopia.

Door-to-door searches and arrests targeted Tigrayans, who are from the same ethnic group as the fighters who have battled Ethiopian government forces the past year, raising concerns of bursts of ethnic violence.

The fighting seemed to be spreading. A Tigray People’s Liberation Front leader said the group’s fighters had reached a town about 120 miles northeast of Addis Ababa, where they were locked in battle with Ethiopian forces.

The government totters: Abiy, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, now finds his very future as leader in doubt. Facebook deleted an inflammatory message that he posted urging citizens to take up arms and “bury” approaching rebel forces.