A damaged tank on a road north of Mekele, the capital of the northern Tigray region, in February. Fighting between government forces and rebels from the region has intensified. Photo: AFP
A damaged tank on a road north of Mekele, the capital of the northern Tigray region, in February. Fighting between government forces and rebels from the region has intensified. Photo: AFP
A damaged tank on a road north of Mekele, the capital of the northern Tigray region, in February. Fighting between government forces and rebels from the region has intensified. Photo: AFP
A damaged tank on a road north of Mekele, the capital of the northern Tigray region, in February. Fighting between government forces and rebels from the region has intensified. Photo: AFP

Gulf

Saudi embassy in Ethiopia asks citizens to leave country amid unrest

News of rebel groups’ alliance has raised concerns

The National

November 06, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Ethiopia has called on its citizens to leave the African country immediately.

The embassy asked Saudi citizens to leave “in light of the current circumstances” in Ethiopia, after fighting intensified between government forces and rebels from the northern Tigray region who could advance on the capital.

Saudis were urged to contact the embassy in case of an emergency.

The US followed suit and ordered non-emergency government employees to leave Ethiopia, its embassy in Addis Ababa said on Saturday.

“Incidents of civil unrest and ethnic violence are occurring without warning. The situation may escalate further and may cause supply chain shortages, communications blackouts and travel disruptions,” the embassy said.

‘Existential war’

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government declared a national state of emergency on Tuesday, saying it was locked in an “existential war” with forces from Tigray and their allies.

On Saturday, Mr Abiy said Ethiopia must be ready to make sacrifices to “salvage” the country.

A day earlier, nine rebel groups said they would form an alliance built around the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which has been locked in a year-long war against government forces.

Captive Ethiopian soldiers arrive at the Mekele Rehabilitation Centre in Tigray, Ethiopia, after a four-day journey from Abdi Eshir. All photos: AFP
Captive Ethiopian soldiers arrive at the Mekele Rehabilitation Centre in Tigray, Ethiopia, after a four-day journey from Abdi Eshir. All photos: AFP
Women welcome Tigray People's Liberation Front fighters as they return to Mekele after seizing control of the city in June 2021.
Women welcome Tigray People's Liberation Front fighters as they return to Mekele after seizing control of the city in June 2021.
Ethiopians who fled the Tigray conflict wait to charge their phones at Um Raquba refugee camp in Gedaref, Sudan.
Ethiopians who fled the Tigray conflict wait to charge their phones at Um Raquba refugee camp in Gedaref, Sudan.
A member of the Afar Special Forces stands in front of the debris of a house on the outskirts of the village of Bisober in Tigray.
A member of the Afar Special Forces stands in front of the debris of a house on the outskirts of the village of Bisober in Tigray.
People hold candles and Ethiopian flags at a memorial service for the victims of the Tigray conflict in Addis Ababa.
People hold candles and Ethiopian flags at a memorial service for the victims of the Tigray conflict in Addis Ababa.
An Ethiopian refugee who fled fighting in Tigray waits behind a fence in a camp in Sudan.
An Ethiopian refugee who fled fighting in Tigray waits behind a fence in a camp in Sudan.
Refugees living in a camp in Sudan after fleeing violence in Tigray.
Refugees living in a camp in Sudan after fleeing violence in Tigray.
A woman walks among the remains of a destroyed factory in Ataye, Ethiopia, where more than 100 civilians died in a recent flare-up of violence.
A woman walks among the remains of a destroyed factory in Ataye, Ethiopia, where more than 100 civilians died in a recent flare-up of violence.
Two members of the Amhara militia ride in the back of a pick-up truck. Amharas and Tigrayans were uneasy neighbours before the current fighting, with tension over land sparking violent clashes.
Two members of the Amhara militia ride in the back of a pick-up truck. Amharas and Tigrayans were uneasy neighbours before the current fighting, with tension over land sparking violent clashes.
Militias from the Amhara region have been involved in the fighting in Tigray.
Militias from the Amhara region have been involved in the fighting in Tigray.
Tens of thousands of Ethiopians gather at a rally organised by the mayor of Addis Ababa to show support for the military's efforts in Tigray.
Tens of thousands of Ethiopians gather at a rally organised by the mayor of Addis Ababa to show support for the military's efforts in Tigray.
Zeleke Alabachew, farmer and militia fighter, tends to his land near the village of Tekeldengy, Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous nation.
Zeleke Alabachew, farmer and militia fighter, tends to his land near the village of Tekeldengy, Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous nation.
People celebrate the liberation of opposition leaders in the city of Alamata, Ethiopia.
People celebrate the liberation of opposition leaders in the city of Alamata, Ethiopia.
A family fleeing violence sit in a former classroom at May Weyni secondary school, now hosting 10,500 displaced people, in Mekele, capital of Tigray.
A family fleeing violence sit in a former classroom at May Weyni secondary school, now hosting 10,500 displaced people, in Mekele, capital of Tigray.
Ethiopian refugees travel to Sudan to escape violence in Tigray.
Ethiopian refugees travel to Sudan to escape violence in Tigray.
Ethiopian refugees gather to celebrate the 46th anniversary of the Tigray People's Liberation Front at Um Raquba refugee camp in Gedaref, Sudan. The TPLF dominated Ethiopian politics before being ousted from their regional stronghold last year.
Ethiopian refugees gather to celebrate the 46th anniversary of the Tigray People's Liberation Front at Um Raquba refugee camp in Gedaref, Sudan. The TPLF dominated Ethiopian politics before being ousted from their regional stronghold last year.
An Ethiopian refugee sets up a tent in a camp in the town of Gedaref, Sudan, after being transported from the border reception centre.
An Ethiopian refugee sets up a tent in a camp in the town of Gedaref, Sudan, after being transported from the border reception centre.
Pro-Tigrayan demonstrators display placards during a protest in front of the chancellery in Berlin.
Pro-Tigrayan demonstrators display placards during a protest in front of the chancellery in Berlin.
The aftermath of heavy shelling in Wukro, a city north of Mekele, in Ethiopia.
The aftermath of heavy shelling in Wukro, a city north of Mekele, in Ethiopia.

TPLF representative Berhane Gebre-Christos said the alliance aimed to “remove the regime”, as he signed the agreement in Washington.

On Saturday, Mr Abiy tweeted that “there are sacrifices to be made, but those sacrifices will salvage Ethiopia”.

“We have seen the tests and obstacles and it made us stronger. We have more allies than the people who turned their backs on us.”

Rebel advance continues

Last weekend, the TPLF said it had taken two strategic cities in the northern Amhara region, where its fighters advanced after retaking Tigray in June.

The conflict in the north of Ethiopia started a year ago when forces loyal to the TPLF seized military bases in the Tigray region.

In response, Mr Abiy sent in forces that initially drove the TPLF out of the regional capital of Mekele, but that have faced a sharp reversal in fortunes since June this year.

The US has said it is “gravely concerned” about the fighting and called for a halt to military operations in favour of ceasefire talks.

On Friday, the UN Security Council expressed alarm about the worsening conflict in Ethiopia.

Key developments

All times UTC 4

New UK refugee system

 

  • A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
  • Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
  • A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
  • To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
  • Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
  • Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
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White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

About Takalam

Date started: early 2020

Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: HealthTech and wellness

Number of staff: 4

Funding to date: Bootstrapped

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
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In numbers

1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:

  • 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
  • 150 tonnes to landfill
  • 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal

800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal

Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year

25 staff on site

 

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