The embassies of multiple countries, including the United States, Japan, Britain, and France, have issued calls for dialogue.

The United Nations has announced that more than 50,000 people have been displaced as a result of clashes in a disputed area in northern Ethiopia. The international community has expressed concern about the violence, which involves fighters from rival regions. According to the UN, the number of displaced individuals in Alamata Town, as well as Raya Alamata, Zata, and Ofla, since April 13th or 14th, has surpassed 50,000.

This information was provided by local authorities in the disputed area, which is claimed by both Tigray and neighboring Amhara.

The UN emphasizes the dire humanitarian situation, with thousands of women and children in urgent need of comprehensive humanitarian support to survive.

During a two-year war between Ethiopia's government and regional Tigrayan authorities, Amhara forces took control of Raya Alamata in southern Tigray.

As part of a peace agreement between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government and Tigrayan authorities, Amhara forces, which supported federal troops during the conflict, were supposed to withdraw from Raya Alamata after the agreement was signed in Pretoria in November 2022.

Neither the federal government nor Tigrayan authorities responded to AFP requests for information. It is impossible to independently verify the situation on the ground as media access to northern Ethiopia is heavily restricted.

Reports of the fighting have raised concerns within the international community. The embassies of several nations, including the United States, Japan, Britain, and France, issued statements on Saturday calling for dialogue and urging the de-escalation of the conflict and the protection of civilians.

During the conflict, Amhara forces seized and retained control of western Tigray, an area contested by both regions.

Amhara, Ethiopia's second most populous region, has experienced unrest since April 2023, when the federal government's decision to disband regional forces nationwide sparked clashes.

Amhara nationalists, already feeling disillusioned by the peace agreement with Tigray, argued that this decision would undermine their region's strength.