A report by Médecins Sans Frontières states that Ethiopian troops executed three aid workers in Tigray four years ago, highlighting their identifiable status and the lack of credible government response regarding the killings amid ongoing turmoil in the region.
Investigation Links Ethiopian Army to Execution of Humanitarian Workers in Tigray
Investigation Links Ethiopian Army to Execution of Humanitarian Workers in Tigray
Médecins Sans Frontières reveals findings of execution of three aid workers, implicating Ethiopian troops in the tragic incident during Tigray conflict.
Aid organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has released an explosive report detailing the systematic execution of three of its humanitarian workers, with findings suggesting substantial involvement from Ethiopian soldiers during the ongoing conflict in the Tigray region. The incident, which occurred on June 24, 2021, has drawn renewed attention as MSF asserts that despite numerous engagements, the Ethiopian government has not provided a credible explanation for the tragic deaths.
According to Raquel Ayora, general director of MSF Spain, the victims—María Hernández Matas from Spain and two Ethiopian nationals, Yohannes Halefom Reda and Tedros Gebremariam—were targeted while clearly marked with MSF insignia. Eyewitness accounts reveal that the workers were shot at close range, underscoring the deliberate nature of the attack. “They were executed,” Ayora stated, emphasizing that they faced their attackers directly, putting their tragic deaths in sharp relief.
The report asserts that a convoy of Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) troops was present at the site of the incident, corroborated by satellite imagery and testimonies from both civilian and military witnesses. One witness reportedly recalled hearing a commander issue a direct order to execute the aid workers, raising grave concerns about the level of military involvement in the act.
The Tigray conflict erupted in late 2020 due to significant tensions between regional and federal forces, exacerbated by Eritrea's involvement on the side of the Ethiopian army. After two years of turmoil—with estimates of casualties reaching approximately 600,000 due to conflict-related factors—efforts for a ceasefire were established, though the fallout persists.
MSF's report highlights a disturbing atmosphere during the conflict where hostility towards aid workers escalated, endangering their lives even when their humanitarian missions were conducted openly. Ayora lamented the personal impact of the killings, mentioning that María Hernández Matas had established deep connections within the community, while Tedros had recently welcomed a newborn daughter, painfully triggering an emotional outpouring from his relatives.
The charity calls for accountability, as its request for a transparent government response remains unanswered after four years of inquiry. With an urgent need for safety in conflict zones, MSF's assertions are likely to spur international scrutiny over Ethiopia’s military actions and their implications for humanitarian efforts in volatile regions.
