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The Defense Force's Strict Preparations Have Surprised TPLF and Eritrea. The information that was recently made public has stirred up a hornet's nest. Many have been plunged into sorrow. The information that showed the horrific face of the past Tigray war is being called a study that demonstrates humanity's moral knowledge.
As the recent Tigray Genocide Investigation Commission's study shows, during the two-year northern war, 152,000 Tigrayan women were raped, and many others suffered various forms of gender-based violence, it was announced. The attacks on women alone during the Tigray war are estimated to be close to 400,000. Regarding the perpetrators of the attacks, the study, which has been conducted for the past four years, states that 55 percent of the total attacks were committed by Eritrean soldiers, and 35 percent by Ethiopian Defense Force soldiers. In addition, the study indicated that 5.7% of those committed by Amhara forces were carried out jointly by various forces.
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It is a sad thing that the threat of war still looms over Tigray. Tigray is still being prepared to become a war zone. The defense force is saying, "We are ready for the enemy." The institution also stated that it is training a significant number of commandos. It is also being reported that TPLF and Eritrea are making their own preparations.
Corner Review, an institution, stated in its analysis that after the Pretoria peace agreement, TPLF split into two main factions, and one faction with a strong stance established a new relationship with its former enemy, the Eritrean government. Corner Review stated that the Ethiopian Defense Force is strengthening itself in air force, ground forces, and various military matters, including naval power. Corner Review also reported in its dispatch that the Ethiopian Defense Force has recently been training commandos. After stating that Ethiopia is continuously training commandos, Corner Review reported that ammunition factories have been established. It stated that all this military preparation is not for nothing; they have a military mission they want to achieve.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recently stated that Ethiopia earned more than $30 million from the ammunition it sold to foreign countries in just three months. The Prime Minister's speech was prominently cited in Horn Review. Abiy announced that the country has built factories capable of producing all types of ammunition for foreign markets, such as Kalashnikovs, sniper rifles, Bren guns, Dishkas, and all types of bombs. Horn Review stated that this is an indication that Ethiopia is preparing for a military mission.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed made these remarks on February 26, 2015 E.C. when he visited the Homa ammunition factory in the West Shewa Zone of the Oromia region, where he stated that they earned millions of dollars. During his explanation at that time, he also recalled that there had been attempts to produce ammunition and weapons to some extent in Ethiopia before. He stated that the modern factory, whose installation began in 2015 E.C. at the Homa Ammunition Engineering facility near Bambu town, had transitioned to producing ammunition and various weapons in less than two years. The Prime Minister also stated at that time that the factory uses robotic technology and has a very high production capacity per hour.
"I am a soldier, and I understand and know how difficult things that are missing in the military environment can be during operations. Ethiopia is not at risk now; it has intelligent children and brave soldiers. It has also largely overcome its limitations in terms of resources," he said. It is also remembered that Prime Minister Abiy stated a few months ago during his military campaign that drones used to target enemy groups were being produced in large numbers. According to Horn Review, this is also an indication of military preparation.
The Prime Minister announced that the Ethiopian Defense Force, the Air Force, the Information Network Security Administration (INSA), and the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) are producing drones. Prime Minister Abiy made this announcement on Thursday, August 9, 2017 E.C., when he visited the EROBA drone manufacturing facility with economic sector officials. Now, military information is being reported that commandos are being trained. It was stated that an ammunition factory was established in February. It was announced that drones are being produced in August. Now, information has emerged that special military commandos are being trained. Lieutenant General Shuma Abdeta, the commander of the Special Operations Command, stated that the Blate training center, which is the center for special operations command training, is training and graduating a reliable commando force. Lieutenant General Shuma Abdeta visited the fourth batch of commando trainees while starting the fourth round of basic military training at the Special Operations Command Training Center in Blate. Lieutenant General Shuma Abdeta stated that the training school is a large training center where disciplined, truly resilient, and patriotic Ethiopian soldiers are built and trained.
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The new trainees were encouraged to work hard to become disciplined, strong, and patriotic soldiers and commandos by utilizing the capacity of the trainers. He described a commando as someone who dedicates himself with loyalty and integrity, makes a proud history for his country and people, is a game-changer in combat, arrives quickly to adjust the battle, accelerates engagements, and is a hero. He said, "We are happy that you have chosen to be a part of this unit. Train hard." The commander stated that our country is moving towards progress. He added that the role of our army is significant for this growth and progress. He mentioned that they have contributed by donating money from their pockets for national development projects, working in the field, and even sacrificing their lives to ensure that national development projects are completed safely, according to information obtained from the social media page of the Defense Force.
TPLF and Eritrea's Connection [Music]
The Defense Force has been heard saying, "We are preparing ourselves for military missions." This defense preparation has been explained. TPLF and Eritrea, on their part, are saying that they have formed another relationship. It has been said that the connection between TPLF and Eritrea has been increasing since it started. The report explained that this is a threat to the stability of Ethiopia and the region.
Analysis of TPLF's Internal Division
The analysis suggests that a significant ideological difference has emerged within TPLF even after the end of the war. This group, which includes leaders such as Getachew Reda, the head of the interim administration, and Lieutenant General Tsadkan Gebretensae, has fully supported the Pretoria agreement and worked with the Ethiopian federal government. It is said that Getachew Reda's eventual departure from the interim administration and his appointment as an advisor by the Prime Minister is an indication of this approach.
On the other hand, a faction composed of old TPLF leaders, who have gained power and are led by Ms. Fetelour Gebre Egziabher, opposes the relationship with the federal government. The report states that this group has currently formed political and economic ties with the Eritrean government or TPLF. According to the report, the primary goal of the TPLF-TPLF relationship is to strengthen their financial sources by illegally selling natural resources such as gold found in Tigray through Eritrea. The Semdo resettlement campaign is also said to be a conspiracy orchestrated to prevent displaced people from returning to areas controlled by Eritrea, such as Zala'ambesa and Irob.
The report accuses Egypt and its European partners of orchestrating this renewed TPLF-TPLF relationship to weaken Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's administration, aiming to revive the TPLF-TPLF connection. The report also stated that efforts are being made to shift the conflict from Tigray to the Amhara region. To this end, they are reportedly trying to coordinate the divided Fano movement by using veteran political actors such as Dawit Haile Giorgis and Andargachew Tsige. The analysis explained that the ultimate goal of this movement is to advance to Shewa, put pressure on Addis Ababa, and invite international intervention.
The Horn Review report indicated that the security problem in northern Ethiopia has created a complex conflict ecosystem involving internal and regional forces, resource exploitation, and cross-border conspiracies. TPLF has recently faced an unexpected military uprising. In connection with this uprising, a politician named Suleiman Dedefo, the Ethiopian ambassador to Somalia, stated that a major conflict has erupted between TPLF fighters and the organization's leaders, and that it has been an attempt to dismantle the organization.
Indeed, the politician is known as an anti-Tigray politician by TPLF. However, this politician continues to express his strong opinions against TPLF. Ambassador Suleiman Dedefo stated in his statement that the patience and hope of the Tigrayan people and the organization's armed forces have run out with the TPLF leaders. According to Mr. Suleiman, the armed force that has been the backbone of the organization for years has now turned its back on the leadership, and the organization's last stronghold is crumbling.
They have been deceiving people by saying that TPLF and the Tigrayan people are one. Now, they cannot even be one with their fighters and are left exposed, said Mr. Suleiman. He urged that before the uprising causes further loss of life, TPLF leaders should be brought under control and held accountable for their crimes.
We are done. We wish you a good time. [Music]