The Tigrayans, who have been in conflict with the government for the past year, have teamed up with another rebel group as they move towards the capital, Addis Ababa. Foreign officials observing the situation noted that multiple Ethiopian army units appear to have either collapsed or retreated. The declaration of a state of emergency reflects the rapidly changing dynamics of a growing conflict that poses a threat to Ethiopia, the second most populous country in Africa. This development also signifies a further decline in the fortunes of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate whose global standing has been tarnished by a war marked by reports of human rights abuses, mass killings, and starvation. A year ago, on November 4, Abiy initiated a military operation in the northern Tigray region in an attempt to defeat the regional ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front, his most challenging political adversary. However, despite initially promising a quick and nonviolent operation, Abiy found himself embroiled in a difficult military situation. The Ethiopian army faced a significant setback in June as they were compelled to retreat from Tigray, resulting in the capture of several thousand soldiers. Currently, the conflict is escalating towards Abiy, with Tigrayan rebels seizing control of Dessie and Kombolcha, located just 160 miles northeast of 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, implement curfews, and limit the media. Any individual above the age of 18 may be summoned to participate in the conflict, according to Justice Minister Gedion Timothewos. "Those in possession of weapons will be required to surrender them to the authorities," he stated. The government has declared that the state of emergency will be in effect for six months. Prior to this announcement, the city administration in Addis Ababa had urged residents to utilize their weapons to protect their communities. It was stated that searches were being carried out from house to house in an effort to find Tigrayan supporters. These announcements contributed to a growing unease in the city, as tensions rose due to reports of Tigrayan military progress. A taxi driver named Dereje, who was too afraid to share his full name in the capital's tense atmosphere, expressed his intention to join the conflict. He stated that he would not stay at home and face the enemy, but would fight for his children and his nation. However, a teacher who chose not to reveal his identity mentioned that he no longer had confidence in the Ethiopian government. "He expressed concern that we were misled about the defeat of the TPLF," referring to the Tigray People's Liberation Front. "I am deeply worried about the upcoming events. May God assist us." President Joe Biden, who has threatened to impose sanctions on Ethiopia unless it engages in peace talks, announced on Tuesday that he would revoke Ethiopia's trade privileges, including duty-free access to the US, due to "serious violations of internationally recognized human rights." In a separate briefing, Jeffrey Feltman, the Biden administration's envoy to the Horn of Africa, warned that the escalating conflict could have dire consequences for Ethiopia's unity and its relationship with the United States. Ethiopian soldiers who were defeated are being paraded through Mekelle after the Tigray Defence Forces captured the regional capital on June 25, 2021. The New York Times reported that Billene Seyoum, a spokesperson for Abiy, did not respond to a request for comment. Ethiopian soldiers who were defeated are being paraded through Mekelle following the fall of the regional capital to the Tigray Defence Forces on June 25, 2021. The decision to revoke trade privileges by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration has been criticized for potentially reversing economic progress in the country and causing harm to women and children. Ethiopia has expressed its commitment to holding those responsible for serious human rights abuses accountable. The escalating conflict in Ethiopia has raised concerns in the region about potential spillover into neighboring countries like Kenya and the displacement of refugees. Prime Minister Abiy, once praised by the West for winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, has faced growing criticism for the humanitarian crisis in Tigray caused by the blockade preventing essential supplies from reaching the region where millions are in urgent need of assistance. Following the threat of sanctions from the United States in September, Abiy's government expelled seven senior UN officials, including a humanitarian aid coordinator in Tigray, accusing the West of neocolonial bias. The Ethiopian military then launched an offensive against Tigrayan forces, which escalated to include airstrikes on Mekelle, the capital of Tigray. Recently, Abiy has attributed his losses to unidentified foreign fighters supporting the Tigrayans, claiming that individuals of non-Ethiopian descent are involved in the conflict. In Addis Ababa, security forces have begun targeting ethnic Tigrayans, raising concerns about potential ethnically motivated reprisals in the capital as the rebels advance. International attempts to encourage both parties to participate in negotiations have been unsuccessful. Abiy has continued military operations despite evidence showing his army is struggling. 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' chief strategist, who believes more action is necessary. Human rights organizations have accused Tigrayan fighters of misconduct, including the killing of Eritrean refugees, although not to the extent of Ethiopian troops. The Ethiopian government has accused Tigrayan fighters of killing residents in Kombolcha recently, without presenting any evidence. The fighters have been advancing southward into the Amhara region since July, in a prolonged battle that has been largely hidden from view due to internet blackouts and media restrictions. A significant development occurred when Dessie and Kombolcha were captured over the weekend, both strategically important towns on a key highway running from north to south. This highway has become the central point of a war that could shape the future of Ethiopia. The Tigrayans have joined forces with the Oromo Liberation Army, a smaller rebel group advocating for the rights of the Oromo, the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia. After years of fighting in rural areas, the OLA now seems to be making its way into urban centers in Ethiopia. Odaa Tarbii, a spokesperson for the OLA, announced on Tuesday that they had taken control of a town located 120 miles north of Addis Ababa and anticipated moving south with the Tigrayans in the next two or three days. Throughout much of the conflict, Abiy received strong backing from Eritrea, whose troops had entered Tigray early in the war in late 2020 and were accused of committing numerous atrocities against civilians. However, in recent weeks, Eritrea has been noticeably absent from the ongoing fighting for reasons that remain unclear, according to Tigrayan and Western officials. Getachew Reda, a spokesperson for the Tigray People's Liberation Front, stated that the Ethiopian military was becoming disorganized as it retreated south, leaving behind armed ethnic militias. Reda claimed that the military's command and control structure had collapsed, a narrative that was corroborated by two Western officials who requested anonymity due to diplomatic sensitivities. If the Tigrayans keep advancing towards the south, Abiy is expected to be under significant pressure from both his political allies and in the military field, according to officials. © 2021 The New York Times Company.