Tigray opposition parties assert 50,000-plus civilian deaths

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - A trio of opposition parties in Ethiopia's embattled Tigray region estimates that more than 50,000 civilians have been killed in the three-month conflict, and they urge the international community to intervene before a 'œhumanitarian disaster of biblical proportion will become a gruesome reality.'ť

The statement posted Tuesday does not say where the estimate comes from, and the parties could not immediately be reached. Communication links remain challenging in much of the region, making it difficult to verify claims by any side.

No official death toll has emerged since the fighting began in early November between Ethiopian and allied forces and those of the Tigray region who dominated the government for almost three decades before Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office in 2018. Each side now views the other as illegitimate.

The opposition parties say the international community should ensure the immediate withdrawal of fighters including soldiers from neighboring Eritrea, who witnesses say are supporting Ethiopian forces. The parties also urge an independent investigation into the conflict, dialogue, more humanitarian aid and media access to 'œcover what is happening.'ť

Civilians throughout Tigray, a region of some 6 million people, have been dying from targeted attacks, crossfire, disease and lack of resources, according to witnesses. Even some of the new administrators appointed by Abiy's government have warned that people are dying of starvation as vast areas beyond main roads and towns still cannot be reached.

The opposition parties assert that the hunger is man-made as cattle have been killed and raided, crops burned and homes looted and destroyed. The statement was signed by the Tigray Independence Party, the National Congress of Great Tigray and Salsay Weyane Tigray.

Their statement accuses Ethiopia's government of 'œusing hunger as a weapon to subdue Tigray since it has been obstructing international efforts for humanitarian assistance.'ť Ethiopia's government, however, has asserted that aid is being delivered and nearly 1.5 million people have been reached.

The United Nations and others have pressed for more humanitarian access and a solution to a complicated system of clearances with a variety of authorities, including ones on the ground.

'œIn 40 years (as) a humanitarian, I've rarely seen an aid response so impeded," the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, Jan Egeland, tweeted on Monday.

U.N. refugee chief Filippo Grandi after a visit to Tigray told reporters on Monday that the situation is 'œextremely grave.'ť He said his team had heard a 'œvery strong appeal'ť from appointed authorities in Tigray and Ethiopian ministries for more international help, and he pointed out that the U.N. works in 'œnorthern Syria, in Yemen, in areas of high insecurity."

The Tigray region hosted 96,000 refugees from Eritrea before the fighting, and Grandi said he had spoken to some who were caught in the crossfire and then resorted to 'œeating leaves'ť after being cut off from support for several weeks. Others were forcibly returned to Eritrea by Eritrean forces, he said. It was not clear how many.

Two of the refugees' four camps remain inaccessible, and 'œmost likely there is no refugee presence here anymore,'ť he said. Citing satellite imagery, the U.K.-based DX Open Network nonprofit this week reported further destruction at the Hitsats and Shimelba camps in recent weeks by unnamed armed groups, with humanitarian facilities among those targeted.

Up to 20,000 of the refugees have been 'œdispersed'ť into areas where humanitarian workers don't have access, Grandi said.

The U.N. refugee chief also called for an independent, transparent investigation into alleged abuses. 'œThe situation is very complex,'ť he said. 'œThere has been a lot of crossfire, a lot of violations on all sides,'ť including Tigray-allied fighters.

Pressure continued Tuesday as Germany said Chancellor Angela Merkel in a phone call with Abiy 'œunderscored the significance of a peaceful solution to the conflict in the Tigray region and of humanitarian supplies to the people affected." Merkel added that 'œhumanitarian aid organizations and media must be granted free access."

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underlined the need for 'œurgent steps to alleviate the humanitarian situation and extend the necessary protections to those at risk," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Guterres welcomed Ethiopia's 'œpositive engagement" during recent visits by Grandi, U.N. security and safety chief Gilles Michaud and World Food Program Executive Director David Beasley, Dujarric said. They were undertaken to spur 'œsustained, impartial and unimpeded humanitarian access" to Tigray and to refugees and internally displaced people, he said.

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Associated Press writer Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.