Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has released a harrowing report accusing the Ethiopian army of executing three of its aid workers in Tigray, shedding light on the tragic events that unfolded four years ago. Despite numerous attempts to engage the Ethiopian government for a credible explanation, the charity's findings point to a chilling reality—their workers were targeted while clearly identifiable as humanitarian aid providers.
Aid Workers Killed in Tigray: New MSF Report Blames Ethiopian Army
Aid Workers Killed in Tigray: New MSF Report Blames Ethiopian Army
An investigation by Médecins Sans Frontières reveals soldiers executed three of its aid workers in Tigray.
In a shocking revelation, the charity detailed the circumstances surrounding the killings of a Spanish national and two Ethiopian colleagues, who lost their lives on June 24, 2021. MSF's general director in Spain, Raquel Ayora, emphasized that these individuals, María Hernández Matas (35), Yohannes Halefom Reda (32), and Tedros Gebremariam (31), were unambiguously marked as humanitarian workers, sporting MSF vests and traveling in a marked vehicle.
The report alleges that Ethiopian soldiers were not only present at the crime scene but also directly involved in the shootings, claiming the workers were shot at close range after being cornered. Eyewitness accounts have surfaced, including one that cites a commander allegedly ordering the attack, raising serious questions about the level of military conduct against humanitarian missions in a region plagued by conflict.
The Tigray war, which erupted in 2020, resulted in an estimated 600,000 deaths from violence, starvation, and lack of medical care. Although a peace deal was brokered in 2022, hostilities towards aid workers have reportedly continued during this period. MSF's report highlights a troubling trend of increasing hostility from both Ethiopian and Eritrean forces toward humanitarian operations targeting the vulnerable populations in Tigray.
The deaths of these three workers stand out as a reminder of the real dangers faced by aid providers in conflict zones, serving as a devastating loss not just for MSF but for the communities they aimed to serve. As investigations continue, the lack of accountability and transparency regarding the incident raises urgent concerns regarding the protection of humanitarian workers worldwide.
The report alleges that Ethiopian soldiers were not only present at the crime scene but also directly involved in the shootings, claiming the workers were shot at close range after being cornered. Eyewitness accounts have surfaced, including one that cites a commander allegedly ordering the attack, raising serious questions about the level of military conduct against humanitarian missions in a region plagued by conflict.
The Tigray war, which erupted in 2020, resulted in an estimated 600,000 deaths from violence, starvation, and lack of medical care. Although a peace deal was brokered in 2022, hostilities towards aid workers have reportedly continued during this period. MSF's report highlights a troubling trend of increasing hostility from both Ethiopian and Eritrean forces toward humanitarian operations targeting the vulnerable populations in Tigray.
The deaths of these three workers stand out as a reminder of the real dangers faced by aid providers in conflict zones, serving as a devastating loss not just for MSF but for the communities they aimed to serve. As investigations continue, the lack of accountability and transparency regarding the incident raises urgent concerns regarding the protection of humanitarian workers worldwide.
