Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed has given Tigrayan forces a 72-hour ultimatum to surrender.
On Sunday, Abiy announced that security forces were now “in the third and final phase” of a military operation.
“We urge you to surrender peacefully within the next 72 hours, recognizing that you are at a point of no return,” he warned.
Abiy urged Mekelle people to help defeat the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) by “standing in solidarity with the national defence.”
Since October, soldiers have been at war with the regional government of Tigray.
Battle erupted after Tigray’s unilateral decision to elect a regional administration.
TPLF leaders and members have vowed not to backtrack.
In a statement, they declared that “the people of Tigray will never kneel down to actions of aggressors”.
They accused federal forces of killing innocent civilians, an allegation the government has denied.
The United Nations (UN) has warned of a full-scale humanitarian crisis.
Hundreds have been killed and more than 30,000 refugees have crossed to Sudan.
More are fleeing through the Hamdayet border in Kassala State, the Lugdi in Gedaref State, and another location at Aderafi border.
