Allied Forces Withdrew From Shire In Tigray As Part Of Peace Deal

The Ethiopian army claims allied forces have pulled back from a strategic city in the northern Tigray region as part of a peace deal with rebels, reports the Voice of America News.

Forces from the Amhara region are believed to have withdrawn from Shire in northern Tigray to make good on a November 2022 peace deal.

Tigrayan authorities have not commented the withdrawal and independent sources have been unable to verify the army’s claim.

If confirmed, the withdrawal would be the first step in fulfilling the African Union-brokered peace deal and restoring basic services and humanitarian aid to the region.

It was also reported that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front began handing over heavy weapons to the federal government on Jan. 11, the day before the army announced its withdrawal.