Ethiopian PM promises protection for refugees

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said that his country is ready to receive and reintegrate thousands of refugees fleeing the northern state of Tigray, where federal troops are fighting local forces.

He vowed to protect their property and guarantee their peace upon return.

The UN estimates that around 20,000 people have crossed from Tigray into neighbouring Sudan over the last 10 days.

Prime Minister Abiy has promised to enable humanitarian support by the military, but it’s not clear how that can be achieved amid an escalating conflict.