The Tigrayans, who have been in conflict with the government for a year, have partnered with another rebel group as they move towards the capital, Addis Ababa. Foreign officials observing the conflict noted that multiple Ethiopian army units had either collapsed or retreated. The declaration of a state of emergency reflects the rapidly changing situation in a spreading war that poses a threat to Ethiopia, the second-most populous country in Africa. This development also represents a setback for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate whose international standing has suffered due to reports of human rights abuses, massacres, and famine resulting from the war. One year ago, Abiy initiated a military offensive in the northern Tigray region in an attempt to defeat the regional ruling party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, his main political adversary. However, despite initially pledging a quick and non-violent operation, Abiy soon found himself embroiled in a complex military situation. The Ethiopian army faced a significant setback in June as they were compelled to retreat from Tigray, resulting in the capture of numerous soldiers. Currently, the conflict is approaching Abiy's doorstep, with Tigrayan rebels seizing control of Dessie and Kombolcha in recent days, just 160 miles from the capital. According to a United Nations official, Tigrayan forces were observed advancing further south from Kombolcha on Tuesday. During the state of emergency, Abiy has extensive authority to apprehend and hold critics, enforce curfews, and limit the news media. Any individual over 18 may be summoned to participate in combat, Justice Minister Gedion Timothewos stated at a press briefing. "Those in possession of weapons will be required to surrender them to the authorities," he added. The government announced that the state of emergency would be in effect for six months. Prior to this announcement, the Addis Ababa city administration had urged residents to utilize their weapons to protect their communities. According to a statement, searches were being conducted from house to house in an effort to find Tigrayan sympathizers. These announcements contributed to a growing sense of unease in the city, where tensions had been escalating due to reports of Tigrayan military progress. A taxi driver named Dereje, who did not provide his last name due to the tense atmosphere in the capital, expressed his intention to participate in the conflict. He stated, "I will not remain at home and wait for the enemy. I will fight for my children and my country." However, a teacher who chose to remain anonymous, mentioned that he had lost confidence in the Ethiopian government. "He expressed concern that they were misled about the defeat of the TPLF and fears for the future. President Joe Biden threatened sanctions on Ethiopia and revoked trade privileges due to human rights violations. Jeffrey Feltman warned of disastrous consequences for Ethiopia's unity and relationship with the US. Ethiopian soldiers were captured after Mekelle fell to the Tigray Defence Forces in June 2021. Billene Seyoum, a spokesperson for Abiy, did not provide a comment." Ethiopian soldiers who were defeated are being paraded through Mekelle after the Tigray Defence Forces took control of the regional capital on June 25, 2021. Ethiopia's Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration expressed concerns that revoking trade privileges would harm the country's economy and disproportionately affect women and children. Ethiopia remains committed to holding perpetrators of serious human rights violations accountable. The escalating conflict in Ethiopia has raised concerns in the region about potential spillover into neighboring countries like Kenya and the influx of refugees across borders. Despite being hailed by the West for winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, Abiy has faced growing criticism for his handling of the war in Tigray and the blockade preventing essential supplies from reaching the region, where millions are in urgent need of assistance. After the United States threatened to impose sanctions on Abiy's government in September, he accused the West of having neocolonial bias and expelled seven senior UN officials, including a humanitarian aid coordinator in Tigray. The Ethiopian military recently launched an offensive against Tigrayan forces, which escalated to include airstrikes on Mekelle, the region's capital under siege. Abiy has recently attributed his losses to unidentified foreigners who he claims are fighting alongside the Tigrayans, stating that individuals of non-Ethiopian descent have been involved in the conflict. In Addis Ababa, security forces have begun targeting ethnic Tigrayans, raising concerns about retaliatory actions based on ethnicity as the rebels approach the capital. International attempts to encourage both sides to participate in negotiations have been unsuccessful. Abiy has continued military operations, despite evidence that his army is under significant pressure. The Tigrayans claim they are fighting to end a siege that is causing suffering and starvation in their region. Western pressure on Abiy has been minimal, according to Gen Tsadkan Gebretensae, the rebels' main strategist. He stated that more action is needed. Human rights organizations have accused Tigrayan fighters of misconduct, such as killing Eritrean refugees, although not to the same extent as Ethiopian troops. The Ethiopian government has accused Tigrayan fighters of killing residents in Kombolcha recently, but has not provided any evidence to support this claim. Since July, the Tigrayan fighters have been moving south into the Amhara region in a long and intense battle that has been largely hidden from view due to internet blackouts and reporting restrictions. The capture of strategically important towns like Dessie and Kombolcha over the weekend has been seen as a significant development in the ongoing war that could shape the future of Ethiopia. The Tigrayans have now joined forces with the Oromo Liberation Army, a smaller rebel group advocating for the rights of the Oromo people, who are the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia. After years of fighting in rural areas, it seems that the OLA is now expanding their presence into urban areas in Ethiopia. Odaa Tarbii, a representative for the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), announced on Tuesday that they had taken control of a town 120 miles north of Addis Ababa and planned to move south with the Tigrayans in the next two or three days. Throughout much of the conflict, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received strong support from Eritrea, whose soldiers had been involved in the early stages of the fighting in Tigray in late 2020 and were accused of committing numerous atrocities against civilians. However, in recent weeks, Eritrean forces have been absent from the latest battles for unclear reasons, according to Tigrayan and Western sources. Getachew Reda, a spokesperson for the Tigray People's Liberation Front, claimed that the Ethiopian military was in disarray as it retreated south, leaving behind armed ethnic militias. He stated that the military's command and control structure had collapsed, a statement that was corroborated by two Western officials who preferred to remain anonymous due to diplomatic concerns. If the Tigrayans keep advancing towards the south, Abiy is expected to experience significant pressure from within his own political circle and on the battlefield, according to officials. © 2021 The New York Times Company.