DW Amharic – Rising military standoff and mobilization on the Raya Alamata front
- AAA-admin
- Aug 5
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 7
Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from DW Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
DW Amharic – Rising military standoff and mobilization on the Raya Alamata front
Esayas Gelaw
August 3, 2026 (Hamle 27, 2018 EC)
Military standoff and mobilization has continued on the Raya Alamata front say residents. Rising military activity in the city and fears of intensified war have displaced residents to Kobo City.
Military standoff and mobilization has continued on the Raya Alamata front say residents. For this reason, house to house looting has increased and transportation and banking services have been disrupted in the area, forcing customers to pay 10% more per person. Rising military activity in the city and fears of intensified war have displaced residents to Kobo City.
Fighting which occurred days prior between federal forces and TPLF militants west of Tigray has subsided, however on the Raya Alamata front military mobilization and standoffs have continued say residents. A resident of Alamata City who asked not to be named said TPLF forces have been deployed along Chercher, Bisober and other areas on the Raya front.
“The TPLF has deployed numerous army units along the Raya front. They have also passed down orders to be ready for war. Preparations are underway currently in Chercher, as well as Bisober. There is military presence around Buta Merfa. From Waja Kobo, starting from Jarirota, including Daniya Leko, Selen Wiha, and on the upper side on Bayebawa, in Qumuga. And they have prepared their army along the Waja line.”
Under current military preparations and activity, war could begin at any time says the Raya Woreda resident, and whenever war breaks out it is the residents of Raya who suffer and are seeking their freedom from this said the resident.
In relation to the war preparations residents of Alamata City have been unable to move at night. And looting of homes by militants has intensified says the source, adding the identities of the thieves are difficult to ascertain as they cover their faces with cloth and masks.
Public transportation vehicles traveling from Tigray to the mainland (central Ethiopia) have stopped providing services says Ato Gebru Tesfa Egzi, who says it has become a trial for youths to travel beyond Alamata.
“All of Alamata is overcrowded. Here today at night residents were being harassed in the Mangiya area. They have been forcibly stopping, assaulting and robbing people on the street. They forcibly remove youth traveling towards Addis Ababa, and only allow elderly persons to travel.”
Banks do not have cash so customers in Alamata City are restricted to withdrawals of 2,000 birr in cash, and individuals are forced to pay 10% in additional fees to make withdrawals say residents.”
Civil society activities have also been prohibited in Alamata City says Ato Kiros Belay.
“Mostly soldiers are seen in town. The majority are seen sitting in cafes, and the majority seen moving are soldiers not ordinary citizens. The city resembles more of a military city than a city for ordinary people.”
Residents of Alamata and Raya Woreda who say war could restart between TPLF forces and federal authorities continue to be displaced towards Kobo City by the day.
Esayas Gelaw
Shewaye Legesse
Mantegaftot Sileshi
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