Tigray rebel groups forcibly recruiting boys as young as 15, witnesses say

Reports from Tigray indicate that a new alliance of armed groups, including the TPLF, is forcibly recruiting men and boys as fighting spreads across the northern Ethiopian region. The conflict erupted on 23 September, shattering the Pretoria peace agreement signed in November 2022 between Ethiopia's federal government and the TPLF.

The latest fighting followed months of escalating tensions, with the TPLF launching an attack in what it says was a response to federal government drone strikes. Witnesses interviewed by the Guardian described people being rounded up from streets and public transport areas at gunpoint, with boys as young as 15 and 16 targeted.

Gezu, a 34-year-old who fought in the 2020-22 war, said he refused to join after receiving a call from TPLF authorities. "I responded to them to kill me rather than ever force me back to the horrors of the battlefield," he said. Another witness, Solomon, 52, said officers "don't care whatever internal disease you have; they forcefully recruit anyone whose hands, eyes and feet work."

The Eritrean Defence Forces and Amhara militias, which committed war crimes during the previous conflict, have now switched allegiance to support the TPLF. Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to the region on 23 September after Tigrayan forces seized Mekelle airport, stranding many residents. Some Tigrayans have fled to Addis Ababa, fearing conscription and renewed violence.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The renewed conflict threatens to trigger a fresh humanitarian crisis in a region already devastated by the 2020-22 war, which saw widespread atrocities.
Forced recruitment of child soldiers is a grave violation of international law and could lead to further instability and suffering.
The collapse of the Pretoria peace agreement raises fears of a return to large-scale civil war in Ethiopia, with regional implications.

Background

The 2020-22 Tigray war ended with a peace deal in November 2022, but tensions remained. The recent outbreak began on 23 September after the TPLF attacked, citing federal drone strikes. Eritrean and Amhara forces, previously adversaries, have now sided with the TPLF, complicating the conflict. Forced recruitment is a recurring feature of the region's conflicts, often targeting vulnerable populations.

Key Perspectives

Tigrayan civilians: They face the immediate threat of forced conscription, with families trying to bribe officers or flee. Many are traumatised by the previous war and desperate to avoid returning to fighting. TPLF authorities: They claim their attack was a response to federal drone strikes, and the forced recruitment suggests they are struggling to find willing volunteers, possibly indicating low morale and manpower shortages. Federal government: The government likely views the renewed conflict as a necessary security response to TPLF aggression, though its actions, including drone strikes, may have provoked the escalation. International observers: They will be concerned about human rights abuses, including child soldier recruitment, and may push for renewed peace efforts, though the credibility of the peace process is now in question.

What to Watch

The scale of forced recruitment and any reports of child soldier use may draw international condemnation and sanctions.
The humanitarian situation in Tigray, including access for aid agencies, will be a key indicator of the conflict's severity.
Whether other regional actors or international powers intervene to broker a new ceasefire, and whether Ethiopian Airlines resumes flights, could signal the trajectory of the crisis.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Background

Key Perspectives

What to Watch

Sources