A recent report by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) claims Ethiopian government forces executed three aid workers during the Tigray conflict, highlighting the dangers faced by humanitarian workers in war zones.
MSF Accuses Ethiopian Troops of Executing Aid Workers During Tigray Conflict
MSF Accuses Ethiopian Troops of Executing Aid Workers During Tigray Conflict
Médecins Sans Frontières reveals alarming findings of the targeted killing of three humanitarian aid workers, pointing fingers at Ethiopian military actions in 2021.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has accused Ethiopian government forces of executing three of its employees during a humanitarian mission in Tigray four years ago. This shocking revelation was shared by MSF Spain's general director Raquel Ayora in an interview with the BBC, correlating with the charity's detailed findings regarding the "intentional and targeted" killing of the three workers amidst the intense conflict in the northern region.
Ayora reported that the three humanitarian workers—a Spanish national and two Ethiopians—were shot multiple times at close range on June 24, 2021, while they were assessing medical needs in central Tigray. "They were executed… they were facing their attackers," Ayora stated, emphasizing their unambiguous identification through MSF uniforms and the charity's vehicle, adorned with flags and logos. She condemned the actions of Ethiopian military personnel, indicating they were fully aware they were targeting aid workers, especially since their travel route had been communicated to combatants prior to the attack.
The Tigray conflict erupted in late 2020, fueled by a power struggle between the regional and federal governments, and involved the Eritrean forces on the side of the Ethiopian military. The conflict concluded in late 2022 after a peace agreement brokered by the African Union, during which estimates of civilian casualties fluctuated around 600,000, attributed mostly to military confrontations, famine, and lack of healthcare services.
MSF revealed that the timing of the fatalities coincided with an increase in hostility against aid workers by Ethiopian and allied Eritrean troops in the region. The charity’s report highlighted significant loss for the families of those killed, noting María Hernández Matas had been cherished in the Tigray community, while Tedros, one of the deceased, became a father shortly before his death. His newborn daughter was named Maria after his Spanish colleague lost in the tragic incident.
The bodies of the deceased workers were discovered at varying distances from their damaged vehicle, which had suffered extensive gunfire and arson on a road from Abi Adi to Yech’illa. According to Ayora, the team's travel protocol dictated that the driver remain near the vehicle, a testament to their intention of exercising safety during their humanitarian efforts.
MSF's investigation utilized satellite imagery and witness accounts to substantiate the attacks. Witnesses claimed they overheard orders given to military commanders regarding the workers' vehicle, alluding to the premeditated nature of the killings. MSF's efforts to address accountability in the aftermath of these events faced challenges, including vague responses from Ethiopian officials where they claimed not to have found evidence of military presence during the assault.
In light of these alarming revelations, Ayora emphasized the need for an end to impunity, recognizing the growing trend of violence against aid workers globally in conflict zones.
