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

The occupation of Tigray by Amhara regional forces and Eritrean troops has led to an unprecedented displacement crisis, exacerbating human rights violations and significantly altering the demographic and cultural landscape of the region. Since the onset of the genocidal war in November 2020, various reports and investigations have highlighted the severe consequences of this occupation, including ethnic cleansing, forced assimilation, systematic suppression of Tigrayan identity, and cultural destruction. This article explores the impact of these events, drawing from multiple sources to provide a comprehensive analysis of the humanitarian, social, and cultural consequences of the occupation.

Occupation and Displacement in Tigray

Following the military invasion of Tigray in November 2020, Amhara regional forces, the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), and Eritrean troops took control of large swathes of the region, particularly in the Southern, Eastern, Western, and Northwestern Zones. Amhara authorities established administrative control over Southern and Western Tigray, integrating them into the Amhara regional structure. This included renaming geographical locations, replacing local Tigrayan officials with Amhara administrators, and enforcing new governance structures (Tghat, 2024).

A joint report by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International (2022) found that Amhara forces and Eritrean troops carried out mass killings, sexual violence, arbitrary detentions, and forced expulsions—part of a deliberate campaign to remove Tigrayans from occupied territories. These actions constitute crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing, as confirmed by the U.S. Department of State's 2023 report on human rights violations in Ethiopia.

The forced displacement of Tigrayans has created overcrowded refugee camps, primarily in Tigray's interior, where food shortages, lack of medical supplies, and inadequate humanitarian aid have intensified suffering (Modern Diplomacy, 2024). Additionally, many Tigrayans fled to neighboring Sudan, where they now face extreme hardship, lack of legal protection, and uncertain futures (Modern Diplomacy, 2024).

Forced Assimilation and Suppression of Tigrayan Identity

One of the most devastating aspects of the occupation is the systematic suppression of Tigrayan cultural identity, particularly through forced assimilation and linguistic repression in Western and Southern Tigray. Reports from Tghat (2023) and Modern Diplomacy (2024) document policies aimed at erasing Tigrayan heritage:

• Language Suppression: Amharic has been imposed as the primary language in occupied areas, displacing Tigrigna, which is central to Tigrayan cultural identity. Schools, government offices, and public institutions now prioritize Amharic, leaving younger generations disconnected from their linguistic heritage.

• Cultural Marginalization: Tigrayan cultural expressions—festivals, traditional storytelling, and artistic practices—are increasingly restricted. The enforced Amharisation of local traditions fosters a cultural vacuum, alienating Tigrayans from their own history and customs (Modern Diplomacy, 2024).

Ethnic Cleansing and Targeted Violence Against Minority Groups

Ethnic minorities such as the Irob and Kunama communities have faced targeted violence, leading to fears of extinction (Omna Tigray, 2024).

• The Irob Community: The Irob, an ethnic minority in Eastern Tigray, have experienced forced displacement, cultural erasure, and targeted killings.  (Omna Tigray, 2024).

• The Kunama Community: The Kunama, an indigenous group, have also suffered violence, land dispossession, and forced assimilation. Eritrean forces, in particular, have persecuted the Kunama, forcing many into exile (Modern Diplomacy, 2024).

Destruction of Cultural Heritage

The occupation has not only led to human suffering but also to the destruction of invaluable cultural artifacts and historical sites. Reports by Mulubrhan et al. (2024) highlight:

• Destruction of Ancient Manuscripts and Religious Sites: Churches and monasteries—many of which date back over a thousand years—have been looted or destroyed, leading to irreparable cultural loss.

• Erasure of Historical Landmarks: The destruction of archaeological sites and ancient relics in Eastern Tigray erodes the region’s historical continuity.

The loss of cultural heritage is not just physical but also symbolic, as occupying forces aim to dismantle the historical presence of Tigrayans in these regions.

The Humanitarian Crisis and Calls for Justice

The humanitarian crisis in Tigray remains dire. Blocked humanitarian aid, famine-like conditions, and continuous displacement have created one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world (The New Humanitarian, 2023).

Therefore, the following actions must be prioritized:

• Immediate withdrawal of Amhara and Eritrean forces from occupied Tigrayan territories.

• Accountability for atrocities, war crimes and crimes against humanity through international legal mechanisms.

• Humanitarian aid access to displaced populations to prevent famine and further suffering.

• Safe return and resettlement of displaced Tigrayans to their ancestral lands.

Conclusion

The forceful, illegal occupation of Tigray by Amhara regional forces and Eritrean troops has had catastrophic consequences for the region’s demographics, culture, and humanitarian stability. The forced displacement, ethnic cleansing, and suppression of Tigrayan identity represent one of the darkest chapters of contemporary Ethiopian history. Addressing these atrocities requires immediate international intervention, legal accountability, and support for displaced communities.

The resilience of the Tigrayan people, despite these immense hardships, stands as a testament to their determination to preserve their cultural identity and reclaim their rightful place in their homeland.

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 Amnesty International

• BBC News. (2022). Ethiopia war: Ethnic cleansing documented in western Tigray. Retrieved from BBC News

• Human Rights Watch. (2022). Ethiopia: Crimes Against Humanity in Western Tigray Zone. Retrieved from Human Rights Watch

• Omna Tigray. (2024). Amhara Annexation of Western Tigray. Retrieved from Omna Tigray

• Modern Diplomacy. (2024). Systematic Suppression of Tigrigna Identity in Western Tigray. Retrieved from Modern Diplomacy

• Tghat. (2024). Forced Assimilation, Killing, and Destruction in Southern Tigray. Retrieved from Tghat

• The New Humanitarian. (2023). Ethiopian Minorities Remain Fearful Despite Peace Deal. Retrieved from The New Humanitarian