 With only minimal forces the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF) had captured the lightly defended Abiy Addi in 1976 and controlled it for almost a year before being forced out of the town by superior Derg Forces.The Red Terror was particularly brutal in this town, undoubtedly because of the TPLF's support in this area.During a market day in July 1977, the Derg executed 178 people in the town square, claiming that they were thieves.