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Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF)

The TPLF was founded in the 1970s by a small group of left-wing nationalist militiamen. They vowed to fight for the rights of Tigrayans, a relatively small ethnic group that account for just 5% of Ethiopia's population.

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All Content on this topic

A young boy stands in a barren field, near a lone cow

Ethiopia: Hunger remains in Tigray region after years of war

Though a peace accord signed last year ended the Tigray war, millions are grappling with a new challenge: hunger.
SocietyDecember 12, 202301:28 min
Äthiopien I Situation in der Region Tigray

AfricaLink on Air — 07 November 2023

Ethiopia to hold referendum over border dispute between Tigray and Amhara states+++Separatists kill 20 in Cameroon
PoliticsNovember 7, 202329:59 min
The civil war ended, but in Amhara region Fano militia continues fighting against the government forces

Is Ethiopia on the brink of a new war?

Barely a year after the civil war ended, fighting continues in the Amhara region. Experts warn of a possible new war.
PoliticsSeptember 28, 2023
A damaged building in Amhara region, Ethiopia, that is once again engulfed by fighting

Ethiopia declares state of emergency amid Amhara clashes

Days of clashes between security forces and a militia group in the Amhara region renewed fears of a security crisis.
ConflictsAugust 4, 2023
UN World Food Programme food aid being unloaded in Tigray, Ethiopia

WFP temporarily halts food aid to Ethiopia

The organization cited reports that supplies are being diverted to the Ethiopian military.
PoliticsJune 9, 2023
Workers carrying sacks of food grains.

UN halts food aid to Tigray, cites misappropriation

Some 84% of Tigray region is in a food crisis and a UN agency says food aid was being "diverted and sold."
Food SecurityMay 4, 2023
A young rape survivor seen from the back

In Ethiopia's Tigray conflict, rape is used as a weapon

With a cease-fire agreed, more and more accounts of rape and sexual violence are emerging in northern Ethiopia.
ConflictsMarch 24, 202302:44 min
Getachew Reda

Ethiopia sets up Tigray interim government under peace deal

The move is part of a November 2022 agreement between the rebels and the federal government.
PoliticsMarch 23, 2023
Äthiopien Premierminister Treffen mit Führern von Tigray

AfricaLink on Air — 13 March 2023

Ethiopia seeks to block UN probe into massacres in Tigray region+++Tems' outfit at the 2023 Oscars criticised
PoliticsMarch 13, 202329:41 min
A woman seen in a doorway, in silhouette

Survivor recounts Tigray civilian massacres

DW spoke with a survivor of a massacre in Ethiopia's Tigray region. Warning: disturbing content.
ConflictsMarch 7, 202303:25 min
Women, armed soldiers and a small child in the streets of the city of Dessie in Ethiopia's Amhara region

Ethiopian report documents mass casualties

A new report says at least 750 civilians have been killed or executed in Ethiopia's Afar and Amhara regions since July.
ConflictsMarch 11, 2022
Abiy Ahmed speaks at a campaign event, June 2021

Biden, Ethiopia PM Abiy discuss Tigray conflict

The US president raised concerns about recent military escalations, civilian deaths and detentions.
ConflictsJanuary 10, 2022
A man and a woman walk past burned out and abandoned shops in Addis Ababa

UN says 16 local staff detained in Ethiopia

The United Nations says Ethiopian staffers have been detained in the capital Addis Ababa.
ConflictsNovember 9, 2021
Ethiopian soldiers captured by the TPLF sit at the Mekele Rehabilitation Center

Ethiopia PM talks tough as Tigray forces claim gains

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed vowed victory in an address to lawmakers that was also televised.
ConflictsNovember 2, 2021
A TPLF soldier dressed in full camo and holding an AK-47, sits at a roadside guard post

Ethiopia's premier calls on civilians to fight Tigray forces

Abiy Ahmed called on civilians to take up arms and halt the advance of Tigrayan forces "once and for all."
SocietyAugust 10, 2021
A burned tank at the side of the road

Ethiopia: Uncertainties in Tigray

Experts warn of a precarious situation after Ethiopia's federal government called a unilateral cease-fire.
ConflictsJune 30, 2021