More Than 720 War-Wounded Patients Reach Tigray Hospitals as Ethiopia Fighting Intensifies in Current Wars in the World
Renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia between TPLF-aligned forces and the Ethiopian National Defence Force has driven more than 720 war-wounded patients to hospitals in Tigray since 22 September, overwhelming medical facilities and forcing MSF to suspend operations at some sites amid current wars in the world. [1] [2]
Surge in War-Wounded Overwhelms Tigray Hospitals
Casualties at MSF-supported hospitals in Korem and Alamata rose from around 180 in the first 48 hours to more than 420 between 22 and 25 September, while Suhul Hospital in Shire admitted over 300 wounded on 25 September alone. [1] [2] These figures reflect only patients treated at the supported facilities and do not represent total casualties across the region. [1] The sharp rise in admissions followed directly from renewed clashes that began escalating on 22 September. [2] Hospitals in both southern and northwestern Tigray experienced the immediate impact, with the volume of war-wounded cases quickly exceeding prior capacity. [1]
MSF Scales Up Response and Suspends Operations
MSF has scaled up emergency medical support at hospitals in Shire, Sheraro and Korem, including continued maternal and pediatric care, but suspended activities at Alamata Hospital and halted community outreach due to deteriorating security. [1] [2] Teams redirected personnel from suspended sites to manage emergency triage at the overburdened facilities still operating. [1] The organization maintained support for healthcare services at the three active locations while monitoring civilian displacements triggered by the fighting. [2] Preparations are underway to address needs of displaced people across Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions. [1]
Breakdown of Fragile 2022 Peace Agreement
The renewed hostilities threaten the fragile November 2022 peace agreement, have triggered civilian displacements across Tigray, Amhara and Afar, and prompted calls from Human Rights Watch, the UN and six U.S. senators for protection of civilians and unimpeded humanitarian access. [1] [2] The escalation followed months of building tensions, large-scale fighting and drone strikes that shattered the November 2022 Pretoria agreement. [2] Communications disruptions and insecurity have complicated humanitarian access and independent reporting from affected areas. [2] The situation remains very worrying according to MSF statements on the ground. [2]
Civilian Displacement and Shifting Front Lines
Fighting has spread to parts of Amhara and Afar, with reported captures of towns including Alamata by federal and allied forces and several locations in Afar by Tigrayan and allied fighters, displacing at least 150,000 civilians. [2] Ethiopian federal forces and allied militias from the Tigray Peace Forces and the Raya Zeb reportedly recaptured Alamata, the largest city in Southern Tigray. [2] On a separate front, an offensive by Tigrayan forces and allied fighters from the Afar National Unity Revolutionary Front resulted in the capture of at least towns in the Afar region, including Erebti near the Tigray border. [2] Alamata, located about 120 kilometers south of Mekelle, serves as an important supply and transport hub and has changed hands several times in prior conflicts. [2]
Humanitarian and International Concerns in Current Wars in the World
The escalation follows months of building tensions, large-scale fighting and drone strikes, with communications disruptions and insecurity complicating humanitarian access and independent reporting. [2] Human Rights Watch and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights have called on all parties to protect civilians, safeguard critical infrastructure, and ensure unimpeded humanitarian access as hostilities spread. [1] On 28 September six U.S. senators urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the State Department to engage Ethiopia's federal government, the TPLF and associated armed groups to halt the fighting and return to mediation. [2] MSF continues to express concern for the safety and access to health care for civilians amid the renewed fighting. [2]
What to watch next: Control over strategic areas continues to shift rapidly while MSF monitors displacements and prepares responses in Tigray, Amhara and Afar.
