A group calling itself the Agew Democratic Coalition, which is reportedly backed by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), has captured a border town in the Amhara region, in the Wag Hemra zone bordering Tigray, according to Deutsche Welle (DW).
The group, which took control of the Abergele district in May, has also seized the Tsagbji district on May 27. DW reports that the offensive triggered civilian casualties and displacement, as well as widespread instability that forced residents to flee toward Sekota.
Displaced people stranded in Sekota town, contacted by Deutsche Welle (DW), said they are facing a difficult situation, with little or no assistance available, limited access to basic services.
Yigzaw Yismaw, who was displaced from Kebele 06 in the woreda, said the attack forced many residents to flee their homes and spend days exposed in arid areas without shelter.
“When we fled, not a single person was able to take any belongings with them. Everyone left empty-handed. We had no choice but to abandon everything we owned.
“Even now, we are staying out in the open in a lowland area. We have no food and no clean drinking water. The suffering of the people is beyond words. Residents, local officials, security personnel—everyone had to flee. Public property, personal property—nothing was saved.”
Others who managed to reach Sekota said they had received little or no humanitarian assistance and were struggling to access food, water, and other basic necessities.
One displaced resident said: “I made it into town, but there are others people are still out there. Some are in the bush, others have managed to reach the town. People are scattered everywhere,” he said. “Those with young children are suffering immensely. There are women, men—so many people in distress. Almost everyone has fled; very few people remain there.”
Sekota town, which is hosting people displaced by the conflict from Korem, Wafla, Abergele, Zata, Alamata and, most recently, Tsagbji woreda, has no formal shelters for the growing number of arrivals, according to the radio report.
