Caught in the middle of battles... About 20 Israelis are trapped in Ethiopia

Tel Aviv - Ofek News - Israeli media reported that about 20 Israelis are stranded in northern Ethiopia, in light of renewed fighting between Ethiopian government forces and Tigray People's Liberation Front forces, and the suspension of flights at a number of airports in the region.

According to the newspaper “Israel Hayom”, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a warning against traveling to the Tigray region, and called on Israelis there to avoid unnecessary movement, against the backdrop of the deteriorating security situation.

The newspaper indicated that flights to the area were stopped, which led to about 20 Israelis remaining in the area, while three Israelis were able to leave the combat zones and recounted to the newspaper the details of their exit.

One of those who were able to leave said that on their way they encountered numerous barriers and bandits, describing the process of leaving the area as being completed with great difficulty.

Later, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it is closely monitoring the conditions of Israelis in the areas witnessing a security escalation in northern Ethiopia, and that it is working in coordination with the Israeli embassy in Addis Ababa and the relevant authorities to discuss the possibilities of removing them from the region.

Northern Ethiopia has been witnessing an increasing military escalation for days, with renewed confrontations between government forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front forces, and the fighting extending to neighboring areas in Amhara and Afar. Seven armed groups also announced the formation of a new alliance against the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.