Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has accused Ethiopian troops of executing three of its aid workers during a humanitarian mission in Tigray in June 2021, highlighting a failure by the Ethiopian government to investigate or respond to the killings.
Allegations of Executions: Ethiopian Troops Accused of Killing MSF Workers
Allegations of Executions: Ethiopian Troops Accused of Killing MSF Workers
An investigation by Médecins Sans Frontières reveals that Ethiopian government forces executed three of its aid workers during the Tigray conflict.
Ethiopian government forces are accused of executing three humanitarian aid workers from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in the Tigray region, according to a senior official from the charity. Raquel Ayora, general director of MSF Spain, confirmed the allegations, asserting that the three workers—two Ethiopians and a Spanish citizen—were targeted intentionally during their mission in a conflict-ridden area. Despite the charity being an established organization operating with full identification, the workers were allegedly shot multiple times at close range by Ethiopian soldiers.
The incident occurred on June 24, 2021, as María Hernández Matas, 35, Yohannes Halefom Reda, 32, and Tedros Gebremariam, 31, attempted to assess medical needs in central Tigray. Ayora described how they were clearly identifiable through their MSF vests and that their vehicle displayed the organization's logos, making their humanitarian intent obvious.
The Ethiopian government has faced criticism for not providing a credible account of the killings, despite multiple attempts to engage in dialogue with MSF over four years. Evidence from the charity's investigation, which relied on satellite imagery and witness testimonies, suggested that Ethiopian troops were indeed present at the location of the attack and that orders to shoot were issued by a local commander upon sight of the team.
The Tigray conflict, which began in late 2020 and concluded with a peace agreement in late 2022, led to significant loss of life and humanitarian crises. Estimates indicate around 600,000 deaths resulting from the violence, famine, and healthcare shortages exacerbated by the conflict. MSF’s report highlights the increasingly hostile environment for aid workers in Tigray, particularly as Ethiopian and Eritrean troops grew more aggressive towards humanitarian missions during the war's peak.
The killings of the three aid workers have had profound impacts on their families and communities. María's mother is devastated by the loss of her only child, while Tedros's widow named their newborn daughter Maria in memory of his deceased colleague.
MSF continues to call for accountability and has emphasized the pressing need to end the impunity affecting humanitarian workers in conflict zones worldwide. The organization’s findings have attracted international attention and raised further concerns about the treatment of aid workers in active conflict regions, underscoring the need for protection of those delivering crucial humanitarian assistance.
The incident occurred on June 24, 2021, as María Hernández Matas, 35, Yohannes Halefom Reda, 32, and Tedros Gebremariam, 31, attempted to assess medical needs in central Tigray. Ayora described how they were clearly identifiable through their MSF vests and that their vehicle displayed the organization's logos, making their humanitarian intent obvious.
The Ethiopian government has faced criticism for not providing a credible account of the killings, despite multiple attempts to engage in dialogue with MSF over four years. Evidence from the charity's investigation, which relied on satellite imagery and witness testimonies, suggested that Ethiopian troops were indeed present at the location of the attack and that orders to shoot were issued by a local commander upon sight of the team.
The Tigray conflict, which began in late 2020 and concluded with a peace agreement in late 2022, led to significant loss of life and humanitarian crises. Estimates indicate around 600,000 deaths resulting from the violence, famine, and healthcare shortages exacerbated by the conflict. MSF’s report highlights the increasingly hostile environment for aid workers in Tigray, particularly as Ethiopian and Eritrean troops grew more aggressive towards humanitarian missions during the war's peak.
The killings of the three aid workers have had profound impacts on their families and communities. María's mother is devastated by the loss of her only child, while Tedros's widow named their newborn daughter Maria in memory of his deceased colleague.
MSF continues to call for accountability and has emphasized the pressing need to end the impunity affecting humanitarian workers in conflict zones worldwide. The organization’s findings have attracted international attention and raised further concerns about the treatment of aid workers in active conflict regions, underscoring the need for protection of those delivering crucial humanitarian assistance.
