Tigray rebel groups ‘forcibly recruiting boys as young as 15’ as fighting spreads

Civilians try to flee as men and boys rounded up on streets by new alliance as Ethiopia conflict erupts again

As renewed fighting has threatened a fresh humanitarian crisis in the northern region of Ethiopia, reports are emerging that a new alliance of armed groups in Tigray has been forcibly recruiting men and boys to its ranks.

Renewed conflict erupted on 23 September between Ethiopia’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which rules the region, shattering the fragile Pretoria peace agreement signed between the two sides in November 2022.