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{{Short description|Massacre in Zalambessa, Eastern Tigray as part of Tigray war}}
{{Short description|Massacre in Zalambessa, Eastern Tigray as part of Tigray war}}
{{coord|14.52146|N|39.38360|E|region:ET|display=title}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
{{Infobox civilian attack
| date = 13 November 2020
| date = 13 November 2020
| title = Zalambessa massacre
| title = Zalambessa massacre
| location = [[Zalambessa]] ({{Lang-ti | ዛላምበሳ}}), [[Tigray Region]], Ethiopia
| location = [[Zalambessa]], [[Tigray Region]], Ethiopia
| partof = [[Tigray War]]
| partof = [[Tigray War]]
| map = {{Location map|Tigray Region#Ethiopia|lat_deg = 14.521469915823948|lon_deg = 39.383609062701744|label = Zalambessa| border = none | float = center|caption = }}
| map = {{Location map|Tigray Region#Ethiopia|lat_deg = 14.521469915823948|lon_deg = 39.383609062701744|label = Zalambessa| border = none | float = center|caption = }}
| map_caption = Location of [[Zalambessa]] in Ethiopia
| map_caption = Location of [[Zalambessa]] in Ethiopia
| fatalities = 56 civilians<ref name="atlas"/>, up to 72 civilians<ref name="brief"/>
| fatalities = 56 civilians, up to 72 civilians<ref name="brief"/>
| target = [[Tigrayans]]
| target = [[Tigrayans]]
| type = {{plainlist|
| type = {{plainlist|
Line 18: Line 17:
}}
}}


The ''' Zalambessa massacre''' was a mass [[extrajudicial killing]] that took place in [[Zalambessa]] ({{Lang-ti | ዛላምበሳ}}) in the [[Tigray Region]] of [[Ethiopia]] during the [[Tigray War]], on 13 November 2020, with some aftermath killings up to 17 November.<ref name="brief"/><ref name="atlas">Annys, S., Vanden Bempt, T., Negash, E., De Sloover, L., [[Jan Nyssen |Nyssen, J.]], 2021. [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349824181 Tigray: Atlas of the humanitarian situation]</ref> Zalambessa is town at the [[Eritrea]]n border, ''woreda'' Gulo Makheda, Eastern zone of Tigray.
The ''' Zalambessa massacre''' was a mass [[extrajudicial killing]] that took place in [[Zalambessa]] in the [[Tigray Region]] of [[Ethiopia]] during the [[Tigray War]], on 13 November 2020, with some aftermath killings up to 19 November.<ref name="brief"/><ref name="ap20211115">Associated Press, 15 November 2021: [https://apnews.com/article/Counting-Ethiopias-War-Dead-ee2b9ad16ce952a5543f0d767c109104 'You can't even cry loudly': Counting Ethiopia's war dead]</ref> Zalambessa is a town at the [[Eritrea]]n border, ''woreda'' [[Gulomahda]], Eastern zone of Tigray.


==Massacre==
==Massacre==
The [[Ethiopian National Defense Force]] and [[Eritrean Defence Forces]] killed dozens of civilians in Zalambessa (Eastern Tigray) on 13 November 2021.<ref name="atlas"/> It started as indiscriminate shelling on the town, coming from the northern (Eritrean) side during 13 consecutive hours. Then soldiers of both armies went house to house arbitrarily killing civilians. Burials were prohibited and corpses eaten in the streets by hyenas and dogs. Every killing has been carefully documented by some survivors. In one case, which is not at all most extreme, the soldiers entered the house of Haleqa Tewolde Adhanom and his wife Minia Embafrash. They killed both spouses, then occupied the house, and settled there while feasting on the slaughtered goats of the family. They stayed 12 days in the house, eating the 30 goats, and only after that the bodies of the spouses could be buried.<ref name="brief">[http://www.tigraionline.com/ethio-eritrean-crimes-in-za-anbessa.pdf Brief Information on the Crimes Committed and Horrendous Situtaion Inflicted on the People of Zalambessa and Its Surroundings by the Military Forces of Eritrea and Ethiopia]</ref>
The [[Ethiopian National Defense Force]] and [[Eritrean Defence Forces]] killed dozens of civilians in Zalambessa (Eastern Tigray) on 13 November 2020. It started as indiscriminate shelling on the town, coming from the northern (Eritrean) side during 13 consecutive hours. Then soldiers of both armies went house to house arbitrarily killing civilians. Burials were prohibited and corpses eaten in the streets by hyenas and dogs. Every killing has been carefully documented by some survivors. In one case, which is not at all most extreme, the soldiers entered the house of Haleqa Tewolde Adhanom and his wife Minia Embafrash. They killed both spouses, then occupied the house, and settled there while feasting on the slaughtered goats of the family. They stayed 12 days in the house, eating the 30 goats, and only after that the bodies of the spouses could be buried.<ref name="brief">{{Cite web|url=http://www.tigraionline.com/articles/crimes-in-zalambessa-2020.html|title=Brief Information on the Crimes Committed and Horrendous Situation Inflicted on the People of Zalambessa and Its Surroundings by the Military Forces of Eritrea and Ethiopia|website=Tigrai Online|date=27 March 2021|author=Zalambessa Alumni Committee}}</ref>
Typical massacres committed by Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers in the Tigray war are (1) revenge when they lose a battle; (2) to terrorise and extract information about whereabouts of TPLF leaders; (3) murder of suspected family members of TDF fighters and (4) terrorising the Tigray society as a whole such as in case of mass killings in churches.<ref name="world">The World radio (2 April 2021): [https://www.pri.org/file/2021-04-02/counting-victims-tigray Counting the victims in Tigray]</ref> The Zalambessa massacre seems in the first place an act of terror, on the moment of the invasion of Tigray from the north, in order to frighten any town that would offer resistance. This included shelling of Zalambessa’s Cherkos church and its vandalisation.<ref>Tghat, 19 January, 2021. [https://www.tghat.com/2021/01/19/a-footage-of-a-destruction-of-a-tigrayan-church-by-the-invading-forces-in-zalambessa/ A footage of a destruction of a Tigrayan church by the invading forces in Zalambessa]</ref>


==Perpetrators==
==Perpetrators==
The inhabitants of Zalambessa interpreted the identity of the perpetrators as Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers.<ref name="tghat"/><ref name="brief"/><ref>AhramOnline, 27 March 2021. [https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/407893.aspx 'Don't shoot,' Ethiopian father begged Eritrean soldiers, daughter says]</ref>
The inhabitants of Zalambessa interpreted the identity of the perpetrators as Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers.<ref name="brief"/><ref>AhramOnline, 27 March 2021. [https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/407893.aspx 'Don't shoot,' Ethiopian father begged Eritrean soldiers, daughter says] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410064735/https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/407893.aspx |date=2021-04-10 }}</ref>

==Victims==
The “Tigray: Atlas of the humanitarian situation” mentions approximately 56 victims,<ref name="atlas"/>, yet according to local witnesses 72 victims have been identified:<ref name="tghat">TGHAT, [https://www.tghat.com/victim-list/ A compilation of the verified list of civilian victims from different sources]</ref><ref name="brief"/>
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*Abadit Abede (50)
*Abedu Gebreyohannes (75)
*Alem Adhanom (80)
*Alem Berhe (40)
*Alem Nigus (14)
*Alemnesh Melese (36)
*A kid of Alemnesh Berhe (1)
*Alganesh Kidane (50)
*Amanuel Baynesay (26)
*Aregawit Gebrecherkos (75)
*Ashenafie Tekie (17)
*Awet Ftwi (20)
*Biniam Teklay (13)
*Demoz Hagoes (52)
*Efrata Demoz (15)
*Enbeba Teklay (9)
*Ephrem Solomon (16)
*Eyeru Birhane (19)
*Fkadu Gebrerufael (18)
*Freweyni Baynesay (18)
*Ftsum Weldeslassie (80)
*Furtuna Kidenemariam (20)
*Futsum Kahsay (45)
*Gebre Kahsay (65)
*Gebregziher Gebrmedhin (50)
*Gebremedhin Tesfamariam (90)
*Gebreslassie Kidane (70)
*Gebrhiwot Tesfay (30)
*Goytom Gebrelibanos (56)
*Grmay Mebrahtu (40)
*Haben Sahle (14)
*Hagoes Alem (50)
*Haleka Tewelde Adhanom (62)
*Haylay Gebremedhin (50)
*Haylay Kahsay (70)
*Hayle Weldeslassie (76)
*Hiluf Gebray (50)
*Kahsa (90)
*Kebedom Weldu (95)
*Kidus Dejen (22)
*Maku (2)
*Mebrhit Haylu (40)
*Meharit Gebregerges (80)
*Merhawi Teame (23)
*Mikiale Abrha (20)
*Mikiale Zeru (24)
*Miniya Embafrash (55)
*Musie Hagoes 30)
*Nahusenay Gebremariam (35)
*Priest Erimyas Gebretsadkin (40)
*Priest Eseyas Hayle (46)
*Priest Gebre Tesfay (70)
*Priest Gebretsadkin Gebreslassie (45)
*Priest Hagoes Gebregziher( 60)
*Robel Fsha (14)
*Robel Teklebrhane (12)
*Robel Tesfay (25)
*Samrawit Teklay (5)
*Samsom Abedu (16)
*Semere Tekia (45)
*Senait Gebregziabher (42)
*Solomon Tesfagabr (30)
*Tamenesh Tesfay (60)
*Teame Mezgebe (53)
*Tebrh Amare (60)
*Teklu Tela (95)
*Tesfay Gebremariam (62)
*Trfe Ftwi (90)
*Tsehay Afworki (37)
*Wegahta Solomon (13)
*Wekinesh Gebregziabher (70)
*Zewdu Tesfay (35)
{{div col end}}
==Reactions==
The news of the Zalambessa massacre only became known to the outside world after a month, in relation to the severe black-out organised by Ethiopian authorities. On 18 December 2020, an [[Europe External Programme with Africa|EEPA]] report stated that four named priests and three civilians were killed by troops (reportedly ENDF and [[Eritrean Defence Forces]], EDF) in Zalambessa.<ref name="eepa30">[https://www.eepa.be//wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Situation-Report-EEPA-Horn-No.-30-19-December.docx.pdf Situation Report EEPA HORN No. 30 - 19 December] Europe External Programme with Africa</ref> [[Jan Nyssen]] stated that the EDF killed 59 civilians in their houses in Zalambessa on 18 December.<ref name="Nyssen_Tigray_situation_begin_2021">{{cite web | last1 = Nyssen | first1 = Jan | author1link = Jan Nyssen | title= The situation in Tigray at the beginning of 2021 | website= [[ResearchGate]] |year = 2021 | url = https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348296742_The_situation_in_Tigray_by_the_end_of_2020 | access-date = 2021-01-14 |archive-url= https://archive.today/ekJEM |archive-date= 2021-01-14 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 19 December 2020, a foreign diplomat stated that "thousands" of [[Eritrea]]n soldiers were engaged in Tigray. Two diplomats stated that Eritrean troops entered Ethiopia through three northern border towns: Zalambessa, [[Rama, Ethiopia|Rama]] and [[Badme]].<ref name="eepa31">[https://www.eepa.be//wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Situation-Report-EEPA-Horn-No.-31-20-December.docx.pdf Situation Report EEPA HORN No. 31 - 20 December] Europe External Programme with Africa</ref>
The “Tigray: Atlas of the humanitarian situation”,<ref name="atlas"/> that documented this massacre received international media attention, particularly with regard its Annex A, that lists the massacres.<ref name="world"/><ref>EuroNews, 2 April 2021 – See film embedded in the news item: [https://www.euronews.com/2021/04/02/g7-seriously-concerned-about-human-rights-violations-in-ethiopia-s-tigray-region?jwsource=cl G7 'seriously concerned' about human rights violations in Ethiopia's Tigray region]</ref><ref>CBC, 2 April 2021: As It Happens: The Friday Edition (from 28:00 to 35:30) [https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-the-friday-edition-1.5974488 Tigray, Ethiopia Massacre]</ref><ref>The Guardian, 2 April 2021: [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/02/ethiopia-1900-people-killed-in-massacres-in-tigray-identified Ethiopia: 1,900 people killed in massacres in Tigray identified]</ref>

After months of denial by the Ethiopian authorities that massacres occurred in Tigray, a joint investigation by UNHCRC and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has been announced in March 2021.<ref>France24, 18 March 2021: [https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210318-un-rights-chief-agrees-to-joint-tigray-probe UN rights chief agrees to joint Tigray probe]</ref>

While the Ethiopian government promised that Eritrean troops will be pulled out from Tigray, the Eritrean government denies any participation in warfare in Tigray, leave alone in massacres.<ref>DW, 19 March 2021: [https://www.dw.com/en/fact-check-are-other-nations-involved-in-the-war-in-tigray/a-56891431 Fact check: Are other nations involved in the war in Tigray?]</ref>

==External links==
* Twitter: author @tvbempt; hashtags #NeverForget #SayTheirNames # Zalambessa
*[https://sites.tufts.edu/wpf/starving-tigray/ World Peace Foundation: Starving Tigray]
*[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349824181 Tigray: Atlas of the humanitarian situation]
*[https://www.tghat.com/victim-list/ TGHAT: A compilation of the verified list of civilian victims from different sources]
*[http://www.tigraionline.com/ethio-eritrean-crimes-in-za-anbessa.pdf Brief Information on the Crimes Committed and Horrendous Situtaion Inflicted on the People of Zalambessa and Its Surroundings by the Military Forces of Eritrea and Ethiopia]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==Further reading==
{{Tigray conflict}}
*[http://www.tigraionline.com/articles/crimes-in-zalambessa-2020.html Brief Information on the Crimes Committed and Horrendous Situation Inflicted on the People of Zalambessa and Its Surroundings by the Military Forces of Eritrea and Ethiopia]


{{Tigray conflict|state=collapsed}}{{coord|14.52146|N|39.38360|E|region:ET|display=title}}
[[Category:2021 in Ethiopia]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 2020]]
[[Category:November 2020 events in Ethiopia]]
[[Category:Tigray Region|Conflict]]
[[Category:2020 massacres of the Tigray War]]
[[Category:Wars involving Eritrea]]
[[Category:Massacres committed by Eritrea]]
[[Category:Wars involving Ethiopia]]
[[Category:Massacres committed by Ethiopia]]
[[Category:Massacres in 2021]]
[[Category:Ethiopian war crimes during the Tigray War]]
[[Category:Massacres in Ethiopia]]
[[Category:Eritrean war crimes during the Tigray War]]
[[Category:November 2020 crimes in Africa]]
[[Category:Eritrea–Ethiopia border]]
[[Category:2020 in Eritrea]]
[[Category:2020 building bombings]]
[[Category:Building bombings in Ethiopia]]
[[Category:2020 mass shootings in Africa]]
[[Category:Spree shootings in Ethiopia]]

Latest revision as of 14:05, 27 April 2024

Zalambessa massacre
Part of Tigray War
Zalambessa is located in Tigray Region
Zalambessa
Zalambessa
Zalambessa is located in Ethiopia
Zalambessa
Zalambessa
Location of Zalambessa in Ethiopia
LocationZalambessa, Tigray Region, Ethiopia
Date13 November 2020
TargetTigrayans
Attack type
Deaths56 civilians, up to 72 civilians[1]
PerpetratorsEthiopia Ethiopian National Defence Force
Eritrea Eritrean Defence Forces

The Zalambessa massacre was a mass extrajudicial killing that took place in Zalambessa in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia during the Tigray War, on 13 November 2020, with some aftermath killings up to 19 November.[1][2] Zalambessa is a town at the Eritrean border, woreda Gulomahda, Eastern zone of Tigray.

Massacre

[edit]

The Ethiopian National Defense Force and Eritrean Defence Forces killed dozens of civilians in Zalambessa (Eastern Tigray) on 13 November 2020. It started as indiscriminate shelling on the town, coming from the northern (Eritrean) side during 13 consecutive hours. Then soldiers of both armies went house to house arbitrarily killing civilians. Burials were prohibited and corpses eaten in the streets by hyenas and dogs. Every killing has been carefully documented by some survivors. In one case, which is not at all most extreme, the soldiers entered the house of Haleqa Tewolde Adhanom and his wife Minia Embafrash. They killed both spouses, then occupied the house, and settled there while feasting on the slaughtered goats of the family. They stayed 12 days in the house, eating the 30 goats, and only after that the bodies of the spouses could be buried.[1]

Perpetrators

[edit]

The inhabitants of Zalambessa interpreted the identity of the perpetrators as Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers.[1][3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Zalambessa Alumni Committee (27 March 2021). "Brief Information on the Crimes Committed and Horrendous Situation Inflicted on the People of Zalambessa and Its Surroundings by the Military Forces of Eritrea and Ethiopia". Tigrai Online.
  2. ^ Associated Press, 15 November 2021: 'You can't even cry loudly': Counting Ethiopia's war dead
  3. ^ AhramOnline, 27 March 2021. 'Don't shoot,' Ethiopian father begged Eritrean soldiers, daughter says Archived 2021-04-10 at the Wayback Machine

Further reading

[edit]

14°31′17″N 39°23′01″E / 14.52146°N 39.38360°E / 14.52146; 39.38360

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