Article: The Impact of Amhara and Eritrean Forces' Occupation on Displacement in Tigray

The illegal and forceful occupation of Tigray by Amhara regional forces and Eritrean troops has exacerbated the displacement crisis, leading to widespread human rights violations and altering the demographic landscape of the region. Tigrayans have faced forced expulsions, targeted killings, and cultural erasure. Reports from human rights organizations and media outlets indicate that these actions amount to ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. The humanitarian crisis that has resulted from this occupation is dire, with thousands displaced, living in overcrowded camps, and facing restricted access to food, water, and medical aid.

Historical Context of the Occupation

In November 2020, Amhara regional forces, in alliance with the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and Eritrean troops, occupied large portions of Tigray, including the Southern, Eastern, Western, and Northwestern zones. According to Tghat (2024), this occupation was accompanied by efforts to integrate these areas into the Amhara region through administrative restructuring, renaming of geographical locations, and replacement of local governance with Amhara-appointed officials. The Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International joint report of 2022 documented that Amhara forces committed systematic abuses, including mass killings, sexual violence, and forced disappearances, all aimed at the removal of Tigrayans from the occupied areas.

Mass Displacement and Ethnic Cleansing

The forced displacement of Tigrayans has been central to the occupation strategy of Amhara and Eritrean forces. According to the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), Tigrayans in Alamata town were recently warned via flyers to leave immediately or face violent repercussions. The EHRC report, cited by Addis Standard (2024), confirmed that these flyers were distributed, further exacerbating tensions and fear among the remaining Tigrayan population. The same report also noted that in the Northwestern Zone, Eritrean forces engaged in looting, detention, and extrajudicial killings, further contributing to mass displacement.

A Human Rights Watch (2022) report highlighted that Amhara forces, backed by Eritrean troops, engaged in widespread atrocities, including the forcible expulsion of Tigrayans from their homes. The U.S. Department of State's 2023 Human Rights Report explicitly described these actions as crimes against humanity and confirmed that forced displacement and deportation had occurred on a large scale in Western Tigray. The impact of these violations has been devastating, with millions of Tigrayans forced to seek refuge in IDP camps, often under dire conditions.

The Humanitarian Crisis and Blockade of Aid

The displacement crisis has resulted in a severe humanitarian emergency, with aid organizations struggling to reach those in need due to military blockades. Modern Diplomacy (2024) reported that displaced Tigrayans in Sudan face deteriorating conditions, with limited access to essential services and persistent threats from cross-border raids. The article further noted that in areas still under Amhara and Eritrean control, humanitarian access is deliberately restricted, exacerbating food insecurity and health crises.

Cultural Suppression and Forced Assimilation

Beyond the immediate humanitarian consequences, the occupation has led to a systematic attempt to erase Tigrayan identity. This process of cultural suppression has been particularly evident in Western and Southern Tigray, where the occupying forces have promoted Amharic as the dominant language while marginalizing Tigrigna. The Omna Tigray report (2023) detailed how Amharic has been imposed in schools, government institutions, and public spaces, undermining the ability of Tigrayans to preserve their linguistic heritage.

The suppression of Tigrigna has profound implications for the continuity of Tigrayan culture. Modern Diplomacy (2024) described how traditional Tigrayan festivals, religious practices, and artistic expressions have been systematically restricted or outright banned in occupied territories. This deliberate erasure of cultural practices is not just an attack on language but an attempt to dismantle the very fabric of Tigrayan identity. The psychological consequences of this forced assimilation are severe, particularly for younger generations, who are growing up in an environment that disavows their native language and cultural heritage.

The Plight of the Irob and Kunama Ethnic Minorities

The Eritrean occupation of Eastern Tigray has had devastating consequences for minority ethnic groups such as the Irob and Kunama. These communities, already vulnerable due to their small populations, have faced targeted violence and forced displacement. According to Omna Tigray (2023), the Irob, known for their unique language and cultural traditions, are at risk of complete cultural erasure. 

Similarly, the Kunama people, who have historically faced marginalization within Ethiopia, are now subjected to systematic persecution under the Eritrean occupation. Focus on Africa (2021) reported that Kunama villages have been burned, their inhabitants forced into exile, and their cultural artifacts destroyed. The destruction of religious sites and historical landmarks in Eastern Tigray, as documented by Mulubrhan et al. (2024), has further contributed to the erasure of indigenous identities.

Conclusion and Urgent Call to Action

The occupation of Tigray by Amhara and Eritrean forces has resulted in mass displacement, human rights abuses, and cultural erasure. The forced assimilation policies, ethnic cleansing tactics, and humanitarian blockades threaten not only the physical existence of Tigrayans but also their cultural and historical identity.

To address this crisis, international accountability mechanisms must be enforced to hold the occupying forces responsible for their crimes. Humanitarian agencies must be granted unrestricted access to deliver aid to displaced populations. Efforts must also be made to facilitate the safe return of displaced Tigrayans to their homes while ensuring their security and protection from further violence. Lastly, the preservation of Tigrayan heritage, language, and religious institutions must be prioritized to prevent the complete erasure of one of Horn of Africa's oldest and most culturally rich communities.

Without immediate intervention, the situation in Tigray will continue to deteriorate, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The world must not remain silent in the face of these atrocities.

Bibliography

Amnesty International. (2022). "We Will Erase You From This Land": Crimes Against Humanity and Ethnic Cleansing in Ethiopia’s Western Tigray Zone. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr25/5444/2022/en

BBC News. (2022). Ethiopia war: Ethnic cleansing documented in western Tigray. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61009077

Human Rights Watch. (2022). Ethiopia: Crimes Against Humanity in Western Tigray Zone. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/04/06/ethiopia-crimes-against-humanity-western-tigray-zone

Mulubrhan, G., et al. (2024). The War in Tigray and Its Immediate Impact on Cultural Heritage in Eastern Tigray. Journal of African Archaeology, 22(1-2), 1–11. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1163/21915784-bja10037

Omna Tigray. (n.d.). Amhara Annexation of Western Tigray. Retrieved from https://omnatigray.org/slide-deck/amhara-annexation-of-western-tigray

Tghat. (2024). Forced Assimilation, Killing and Destruction in Southern Tigray. Retrieved from https://tghat.com/2024/08/04/forced-assimilation-and-destruction-in-southern-tigray