New Report Accuses Ethiopian Army of Executing Aid Workers in Tigray Conflict**

An investigation by MSF reveals that the Ethiopian army is responsible for the "execution" of three aid workers, casting light on the dangers faced by humanitarian staff in conflict zones.**

The medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has released a harrowing report detailing the alleged "execution" of three of its aid workers during a humanitarian mission in Ethiopia's Tigray region, which has been engulfed in conflict since 2020. The charity's investigation suggests that Ethiopian troops were directly involved in the killings of a Spanish worker and two Ethiopian nationals four years ago, a claim that has intensified scrutiny on the actions of the Ethiopian military in war-torn areas.

The three aid workers—María Hernández Matas, Yohannes Halefom Reda, and Tedros Gebremariam—were murdered on June 24, 2021, while traveling to assess medical needs in the central part of Tigray. According to MSF, they were identifiable as humanitarian aid workers, wearing MSF vests and traveling in a clearly marked vehicle. "They were executed," stated MSF Spain’s director Raquel Ayora, emphasizing that they were shot multiple times at close range.

Despite numerous attempts to engage with the Ethiopian government for a credible explanation of the incident, MSF says it has received no adequate response or accountability over the death of the three workers. The report suggests that a convoy of soldiers from the Ethiopian army retreating from nearby fighting was present at the site of the killings, a claim supported by satellite imagery and witness testimonies. Eyewitness accounts point to the possibility that a military commander ordered the attack.

The Tigray conflict, which erupted as a power struggle between regional and federal authorities, has since claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, leaving a legacy of violence and a humanitarian crisis. The conflict officially ended in November 2022 with a peace agreement facilitated by the African Union, but reports of hostility against humanitarian workers have persisted.

MSF's findings underline the grave risks faced by those trying to deliver aid in areas affected by violence. María, remembered fondly by her colleagues and the communities she served, leaves a profound impact in a region already devastated by loss. The charity continues its call for accountability and protection of humanitarian workers in conflict zones, as the situation in Tigray remains critical.