Ethiopia’s Defense Chief makes major claims on war and regional involvement

Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Force, stated on Sunday that government forces have defeated a coalition of seven armed and political groups that opposed the government. During the 119th anniversary celebration of the defense force, he alleged that these groups planned to overthrow the government and establish a transitional administration. The Field Marshal claimed that TPLF leaders have fled to Mendefera, Eritrea, despite denials from TPLF officials and the Eritrean government. Furthermore, he asserted that Ethiopian forces seized a large cache of weapons that had arrived through Massawa, Eritrea, intended for a central country. He accused Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea of interference in the conflict, alleging the weapons were meant to aid the coalition. TPLF officials and the Eritrean government have dismissed these accusations as false.