Eritrean soldiers massacred over 100 civilians in Axum on November 28 and 29, 2020 according to Addis Standard‘s report citing the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The victims included residents and pilgrims who had gathered in the town to celebrate the annual St. Mary’s church event. The killings were carried out in front of family members, including mothers, children, and wives, in a gruesome manner.
The EHRC report highlights that Eritrean soldiers were involved in widespread wanton killings, human rights violations, and looting, which could potentially be classified as crimes against humanity or war crimes. The EHRC urges a thorough investigation into the broader human rights situation in Tigray.
According to an initial report from Human Rights Watch, as reported by the Ethiopian Reporter, Eritrean soldiers retaliated against Tigray militia and Axum residents by killing several hundred individuals, mostly boys, on November 28, 2020.
Source:
- Addis Standard March 24 2021
- Ethiopian Reporter March 6, 2021
