Tigray conflict facts for kids

The Tigray conflict is an ongoing armed conflict that started in November 2020. It takes place in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. The main groups fighting are the special forces from the Tigray Region and the Ethiopian National Defense Force. The Ethiopian forces are working with special forces from the Amhara Region. The conflict has also spread into the country of Eritrea.

Quick facts for kids Tigray conflict
Part of conflicts in the Horn of Africa
Where the Tigray Region is in Ethiopia (For a more detailed map, see here.)
Date 4 November 2020 – present (4 years, 7 months, 3 weeks and 5 days) Location Tigray Region, Ethiopia Amhara Region, Ethiopia Central Region, Eritrea Status Ongoing
Belligerents
Ethiopia  Eritrea	Tigray Region TPLF
Commanders and leaders
Abiy Ahmed (Prime Minister of Ethiopia) Birhanu Jula (Ethiopian Army Chief) Isayas Afeworki (President of Eritrea)	Debretsion Gebremichael (Leader of Tigray Region) Getachew Reda (TPLF Spokesperson)
Units involved
Ethiopian National Defense Force Amhara Region Special Force Eritrean Defence Forces	Tigray Region Special Force Tigray Region Police Northern Command (some soldiers joined Tigray forces)
Strength
About 140,000 (Ethiopia) About 320,000 (Eritrea)	About 250,000
Casualties and losses
Hundreds killed	Hundreds killed
Many civilians affected

What Caused the Conflict?

The conflict started because of disagreements between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The TPLF used to be a very powerful political group in Ethiopia. However, their power lessened when Abiy Ahmed became Prime Minister in 2018.

The TPLF refused to join a new political party that Prime Minister Abiy created. They also held their own regional elections in Tigray in September 2020. The Ethiopian government said these elections were illegal. This made the tensions much worse between the two sides.

How the Fighting Started

On November 4, 2020, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered a military attack. He said the TPLF had attacked a federal military base in Tigray. The TPLF denied this.

Ethiopian forces, with help from Eritrean forces and Amhara special forces, began fighting the Tigray forces. The goal was to remove the TPLF from power in the Tigray Region.

Impact of the Conflict

The fighting has caused a lot of problems for people in the Tigray Region.

• Many people have had to leave their homes to find safety.
• There have been reports of food shortages and a lack of medical supplies.
• Aid organizations have found it hard to reach people who need help.

The conflict has also affected the wider region. It has led to concerns about stability in the Horn of Africa. Many countries and international groups have called for peace talks. They want the fighting to stop and for humanitarian aid to reach everyone who needs it.

Images for kids

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  Head of the Eritrean Defence Forces, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, in 2013

See also

In Spanish: Guerra de Tigray para niños