US warns against travel to Ethiopia amid state of emergency

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US State Department warned Americans on Tuesday not to travel to Ethiopia, citing armed conflict, civil unrest, the potential for terrorism and kidnapping.

In a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory, the department said US citizens in Ethiopia should consider departing now using commercial options.

"Travel to Ethiopia is unsafe at this time due to the ongoing armed conflict. Incidents of civil unrest and ethnic violence may occur without warning," it said.

The department also warned that further escalation is likely and may cause supply chain shortages, communications blackouts and travel disruptions.

Earlier in the day, Ethiopia declared a nationwide state of emergency effective immediately.

The decision came after an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers amid escalating clashes between government forces and the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and Oromo Liberation Army-Shene (OLA-Shene).

Over the last couple of weeks, TPLF fighters have made gains, capturing new territories and strategic towns deep in the Amhara and Afar regions.

Eyewitnesses who came to safe areas from the war zones told Anadolu Agency that intense fighting continued to rage.

On June 29, the Ethiopian government declared a unilateral cease-fire and pulled out its troops from Tigray, after which rebel forces expanded into neighboring Amhara and Afar.

Millions have been internally displaced due to the conflict according to the UN, which has warned of a humanitarian catastrophe.