Ethiopia’s army urges former members to join fight against Tigray rebels

CAIRO - 6 November 2021: The Ethiopian Army has called on army members to rejoin the military shortly after the state of emergency has been announced as rebels have advanced toward the capital, Addis Ababa.

The newly announced alliance against Ethiopia's government said, Friday that they're "weeks to months" away from entering Addis Ababa, according to CNN.

The allied forces claimed that they are now in control of a town about 160 kilometers (99 miles) from the capital city.

The United Kingdom earlier changed its travel advice to Ethiopia, calling on its citizens to review their need to stay in the African country amid the escalation armed conflict.

UK embassy in Ethiopia tweeted Friday a video advising British nationals to consider leaving the African state while commercial options remain available. 

Similarly, the U.S. Embassy warned U.S. nationals in Ethiopia.

The US Embassy in Addis Ababa called on American citizens to not travel to Ethiopia and consider departing now over insecurity due to the ongoing armed conflict.

“Do not travel to Ethiopia due to armed conflict, civil unrest, communications disruptions, crime, and the potential for terrorism and kidnapping in border areas,” the Embassy said.

The Embassy said travel to Ethiopia has become unsafe at the moment due to the ongoing armed conflict.

“Incidents of civil unrest and ethnic violence may occur without warning,” the Embassy added.

Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and the UN Human Rights Office released a report on Wednesday, revealing violations by all parties in the Tigray conflict of international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law, and possible war crimes and crimes against humanity.