Medics at the scene of an air strike in Mekelle, capital of the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, on Wednesday. AP
Medics at the scene of an air strike in Mekelle, capital of the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, on Wednesday. AP
Medics at the scene of an air strike in Mekelle, capital of the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, on Wednesday. AP
Medics at the scene of an air strike in Mekelle, capital of the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, on Wednesday. AP

US 'increasingly concerned' by fighting in Ethiopia's Tigray region


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The US has expressed growing “concern” over fighting in northern Ethiopia and urged both sides to return to peace.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said Washington was calling on the Ethiopian government and Tigrayan forces to “halt immediately their military offensives and to pursue a negotiated settlement” through African Union diplomacy.

On Wednesday, 10 people were killed in a second day of air strikes on the country's Tigray region when twin drone attacks hit a residential district in the regional capital of Mekelle.

The attack came shortly after rebels said they were willing to observe an immediate ceasefire and participate in a peace process led by the AU after about two years of war.

Mike Hammer, the US special envoy to the Horn of Africa, has been speaking to the Ethiopian government, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and UN and AU diplomats on the ground for two weeks.

“We are increasingly concerned by the growing military activity in northern Ethiopia. We strongly condemn the resumption of hostilities,” said Mr Price on Thursday.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price speaks during a news conference in Washington. Reuters
US State Department spokesman Ned Price speaks during a news conference in Washington. Reuters

“These actions are inconsistent with the government of Ethiopia and Tigrayan regional authorities' stated willingness [for peace talks],” he said.

The Ethiopian government said on Wednesday that it was “committed” to the AU-led peace process.

However, the two sides have blamed each other for the resumption of fighting in late August, which shattered a five-month truce that had allowed the delivery of aid.

An untold number of civilians have died, with the US alleging “ethnic cleansing,” since war broke out in late 2020 between the central government and the TPLF, which ruled Ethiopia for decades until Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office in 2018.

 

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Company%20profile
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Recipe

Garlicky shrimp in olive oil
Gambas Al Ajillo

Preparation time: 5 to 10 minutes

Cooking time: 5 minutes

Serves 4

Ingredients

180ml extra virgin olive oil; 4 to 5 large cloves of garlic, minced or pureed (or 3 to 4 garlic scapes, roughly chopped); 1 or 2 small hot red chillies, dried (or ¼ teaspoon dried red chilli flakes); 400g raw prawns, deveined, heads removed and tails left intact; a generous splash of sweet chilli vinegar; sea salt flakes for seasoning; a small handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped

Method

Heat the oil in a terracotta dish or frying pan. Once the oil is sizzling hot, add the garlic and chilli, stirring continuously for about 10 seconds until golden and aromatic.

Add a splash of sweet chilli vinegar and as it vigorously simmers, releasing perfumed aromas, add the prawns and cook, stirring a few times.

Once the prawns turn pink, after 1 or 2 minutes of cooking,  remove from the heat and season with sea salt flakes.

Once the prawns are cool enough to eat, scatter with parsley and serve with small forks or toothpicks as the perfect sharing starter. Finish off with crusty bread to soak up all that flavour-infused olive oil.

 

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  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
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  • Fly it within visual line of sight
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  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
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Updated: September 16, 2022, 5:15 AM