US envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman called on Friday for Eritrean troops to "immediately withdraw" from Ethiopia's Tigray region, where the seven-month conflict has put over five million civilians at risk.
In a week-long trip to Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt that concluded on Wednesday, Mr Feltman relayed directly to Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki the need to remove his troops from Tigray.
“In Asmara, Special Envoy Feltman underscored to President Isaias Afwerki the imperative that Eritrean troops withdraw from Ethiopia immediately,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Friday.
The conflict that broke out in Ethiopia's Tigray region last November occurred when Eritrean troops joined Ethiopian forces and allied militias in an offensive against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
The conflict has already displaced about one million civilians and has left over five million in need of assistance, according to humanitarian organisations such as Oxfam.
Eritrean troops entered the country upon request from Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. But in March, following reports of extrajudicial killings, massacres, using starvation as a weapon and other grave humanitarian breaches committed in Tigray, Mr Ahmed said these troops would withdraw.
The US government and UN have yet to see evidence of such a withdrawal.
During his trip Mr Feltman, met Mr Ahmed and emphasised the need for an “effort to build national consensus on the country’s future that is based on respect for the human and political rights of all Ethiopians”, with a sovereign and united Ethiopia being integral to this vision.
But Mr Feltman said “the presence of Eritrean forces in Ethiopia is antithetical to these goals".
Besides the withdrawal of Asmara’s troops, the State Department said that securing a ceasefire, providing life-saving assistance and holding “those responsible for human rights abuses and violations accountable” are among US priorities in Tigray.
CNN reported this week that humanitarian access remains restricted in the region and that Eritrean soldiers “were blocking critical humanitarian aid to starving and wounded civilians”.
Ethiopia's government is now estimating 5.2 million out of the 5.7 million people in the region are now dependent on aid.
The dire humanitarian situation and risk of regional war has prompted calls from Congress to impose sanctions on Ethiopia and Eritrea if the troops are not withdrawn.
"We understand that the Biden administration is reviewing all options, but nothing has been announced or finalised, which is why we are pushing them on this," a congressional aide told The National this week.
The bipartisan push for sanctions is being led by the Democratic chairman and top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee – Gregory Meeks of New York and Mike McCaul of Texas. They are urging the White House to use its authorities under the Global Magnitsky Act to levy sanctions on those violating human rights in the conflict.
The UN reported last week that “the scale of food insecurity continues to be large and dire”, estimating that over 63,000 people have fled Tigray and are now refugees in Sudan.
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MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Manchester United v Barcelona, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
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Director: Lana Wachowski
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
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The UAE squad for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games
The jiu-jitsu men’s team: Faisal Al Ketbi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Yahia Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Obaid Al Nuaimi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Mansoori, Saeed Al Mazroui, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Qubaisi, Salem Al Suwaidi, Khalfan Belhol, Saood Al Hammadi.
Women’s team: Mouza Al Shamsi, Wadeema Al Yafei, Reem Al Hashmi, Mahra Al Hanaei, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Hessa Thani, Salwa Al Ali.
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match info
Southampton 0
Arsenal 2 (Nketiah 20', Willock 87')
Red card: Jack Stephens (Southampton)
Man of the match: Rob Holding (Arsenal)
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
New Zealand
Penalties: Barrett (7)
British & Irish Lions
Tries: Faletau, Murray
Penalties: Farrell (4)
Conversions: Farrell
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
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Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
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Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
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Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Babar Azam (vc), Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hasnain, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz
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Netherlands v UAE, Twenty20 International series
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Zakat: an Arabic word meaning ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purification’.
Nisab: the minimum amount that a Muslim must have before being obliged to pay zakat. Traditionally, the nisab threshold was 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver. The monetary value of the nisab therefore varies by current prices and currencies.
Zakat Al Mal: the ‘cleansing’ of wealth, as one of the five pillars of Islam; a spiritual duty for all Muslims meeting the ‘nisab’ wealth criteria in a lunar year, to pay 2.5 per cent of their wealth in alms to the deserving and needy.
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Range Rover Sport Autobiography Dynamic
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Henrik Stenson's finishes at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship:
2006 - 2
2007 - 8
2008 - 2
2009 - MC
2010 - 21
2011 - 42
2012 - MC
2013 - 23
2014 - MC
2015 - MC
2016 - 3
2017 - 8
JERSEY INFO
Red Jersey
General Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the leader of the General Classification by time.
Green Jersey
Points Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the fastest sprinter, who has obtained the best positions in each stage and intermediate sprints.
White Jersey
Young Rider Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the best young rider born after January 1, 1995 in the overall classification by time (U25).
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Last 10 NBA champions
2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
Abu Dhabi card
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7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 1,600m
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
The National selections:
5pm: Valcartier
5.30pm: AF Taraha
6pm: Dhafra
6.30pm: Maqam
7pm: AF Mekhbat
7.30pm: Ezz Al Rawasi
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The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
The view from The National
