The war between rebels in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and the central executive branch of Ethiopia began a year ago, on November 4, 2020, when the Ethiopian prime minister ordered an offensive against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (NTLF) in response to an attack on a federal military base. and after the escalation of political tensions.

Tigray rebels announced earlier this week that they had taken control of the cities of Dessi and Kombolcha in the Amhara region, just 400 kilometers from Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, to which the Ethiopian government responded by declaring a national emergency. the initial stage for six months.

This latest PFLP offensive puts him in the same territory as the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) rebels, with whom they announced an alliance at the end of August.

On Saturday, the United States ordered the removal of a nonessential team from its embassy in Ethiopia following the intensification of hostilities, and in recent days several countries (Saudi Arabia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark) have asked their citizens to leave the country in the face of an escalating war.

The Portuguese Embassy in Addis Ababa is currently monitoring the presence of 26 Portuguese citizens in Ethiopia, and so far, he guarantees, there have been no requests for help from the country’s citizens.

Citizens of a country residing in that country should keep in touch with the embassy ([email protected]). The Consular Emergency Section ([email protected] or +351 217 929 714 | +351 961 706 472) is also monitoring the situation.

On Friday, the Foreign Office updated its travel advice regarding Ethiopia and discourages all travel to that country.

The community portal mentions that a state of emergency was declared nationwide on November 2 and that public gatherings and demonstrations were banned and curfews and roadblocks were imposed without any warning.

The ministry says travelers should keep a close eye on local news and social media and carry a copy of their ID with them at all times, avoid crowds and follow instructions from authorities.

“The military conflict in northern Ethiopia, which began in the Tigray region a year ago, has spread to the regional states of Amhara and Afar. The conflict can escalate quickly and without warning, ”the message says.

The note also mentions an increase in crime against expatriates and citizens in Addis Ababa, especially violent robberies, especially in the Bole areas (including near the Atlas and Ramada hotels) in the Piazza, Mercato, Meshualakya and Menaharya districts in Meskela. A square on the outskirts of the new stadium and among the mountain hills in the north of the city, especially in the Jeka Hills.

“It is recommended to be extremely careful when traveling to these places, traveling with the company and avoiding night trips,” the ministry said.

On the other hand, extreme caution is advised on all travel around the country due to the potential for unrest and clashes, as well as frequent interruptions to the Internet and other forms of communication.

It is also reminded of the need to update contacts and details of the stay in Ethiopia of citizens traveling there, namely through the email address of the Consular Emergency Department ([email protected]) and the Embassy in Addis Ababa (embportaddis @gmail .com).

According to official figures, after a year of conflict, thousands of people were killed, about two million were internally displaced in Tigray and at least 75,000 Ethiopians fled to neighboring Sudan.

In addition, according to the United Nations World Food Program, nearly seven million people have faced “famine” in northern Ethiopia due to the war.