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A flood of ancient Ethiopian artefacts have appeared for sale on websites including eBay, raising suspicions that they could have been plundered from churches during the conflict in Tigray, according to reports.
Centuries-old relics – including scrolls, manuscripts and bibles – are being sold on online marketplaces for only a few hundred pounds.
The 14-month Tigray conflict in Ethiopia has left thousands dead, forced more than 2 million people from their homes, and pushed large swathes of the country into famine.
There have been reports of Christian manuscripts being stolen from churches and monasteries – some pieces dating from the 13th century – while historic Muslim sites have also been looted.The Amanuel church, situated on the top of a hill for centuries, has also been damaged, and around ancient 800 Ge’ez manuscripts have been looted from the Shire region of Tigray, he said.
“The list goes on,” he added. “A Belgian team … managed to reach the town of Shire, where they videotaped a tank covered with looted goods.”
Hagos Abrha Abay, a philologist, was in Tigray at the outbreak of the conflict, and has recorded damage to many ancient sites.
Referring to the increase in Ethiopian relics for sale online, he told The Times: “It is hard to know if the Ethiopian artefacts we are seeing have been taken from Tigray without looking at them, but there have been more popping up almost every day over the last six months.”
After being contacted by the newspaper, eBay removed from its site a number of unique Ethiopian artefacts with no evidence of provenance. The ecommerce giant said: “The sale of illicit antiques is prohibited on eBay, in line with UK and international laws.”
Activists in the Ethiopian diaspora are reportedly compiling a spreadsheet of the growing list of suspect items on eBay, as well as on Etsy, an online marketplace based in the United States.
International experts raised the alarm last year over the security of religious and cultural artefacts in the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion, a chapel in northern Ethiopia.Many believe that the church holds the Ark of the Covenant – the biblical casket containing the Ten Commandments.
Ethiopia Autonomous Media
Tigray Orthodox Tewahedo Church Patriarchate has been officially formed. The Patriarchate says it will work to return the church’s seat to the seat of Abuna Salama, the founder and first patriarch of the church in Aksum.
It also vows to work hard to document the genocide, and to hold those responsible accountable, to create awareness about the Tigray genocide among churches and the wider world, and to contribute to the development of the Tigrayan culture and languageEthiopia Autonomous Media
Gambela Freedom Front (GANGG) has been established on Ethiopia National Dialogue!!
Date 29/05/2014
The established Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (Ethiopia National Dialogue) is not the usual development party, unless it is to strengthen the work of wasting the country’s wealth and to make the people and the international community fight, it is not a problem solver.
Because,
When the 1st commission was formed, the leader of the development party that created the main problem.
After the lack of clarity in the leadership of the 2nd commission members, we have realized that the participation of the ten (11) federal regions is not related.
3rd because all political parties involved in armed struggle and peaceful struggle both domestic and abroad are not involved.
The 4th soldiers of the prosperous government have carried out attacks on the land and air on the people of the Netswan and the Federalist Islands army.
So we kindly inform you that our organization is not part of the Gambela Freedom Front (GANG) and the lack of clarity is not participating in the National Understanding Commission discussion.Gambela Freedom Front (GangeG) Headquarters
Victory for the Ethiopian people!!
Victory for the federal and confederation islands!!Ethiopia Autonomous Media
The Oromo Liberation Front- Oromo Liberation Army (OLF-OLA) welcomes the effort made by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in investigating, in some detail, and putting together a report regarding the callous massacre of Karrayyu Gada elders in December 2021 in East Shewa Zone of Oromia. At that time, we openly stated, depending on numerous reliable internal and external sources, that the massacre was directly attributable to regime forces. The regime did not waste time putting the blame squarely on our army.
The commission is also yet to organize any meaningful investigative work in other high-level killings and mass murders. Many such incidents remain in the shadow without justice or any attempt to independently investigate. To name just a few: the murder of engineer Simegnew (former chief of the GERD project), the assassination of the iconic Oromo musician and activist Hachalu Hundessa, the killing of the country’s former Chief of Staff of the national army and his colleagues, and numerous civilian mass murders by soldiers, drones or Helicopter gunships.
Therefore the investigations conducted by the commission in some instances and the absence thereof in others, point to a pattern of selective investigation in favour of the regime. The recent report of the Karrayyu Massacre of our Gada elders is no different. We do not believe that the EHRC is moved impartially and independently to uncover the truth regarding the killing of the Oromo cultural leaders.
We believe the report aims to:
1) Con the international community into inferring that the regime is capable of organizing an independent commission under its control at the time when its national dialogue commission is under increasing public scrutiny.
2) Attempt to delude some among the Oromo that the regime, somehow, makes an effort to ensure the safety and security of the Oromo people and its leadership, including the dear departed Gada leaders.
3) Use the report to score political points and settle an internal power struggle in the OPDO branch of the ruling PP.
Victory to the Oromo and all oppressed people!
OLF-OLA High Command
February 5, 2022
Ethiopia Autonomous Media
SOUTHERN ZONE
January 21st, 2022Bule Hora district, Guji – OLA forces took action against regime military units attempting to pass through Rophi town resulting in 17 enemy combatants being killed and 10 being injured.
February 1st, 2022Nagele Borana town, Guji – Heavy fighting on the main roads leading to the town resulted in over 60 enemy combatants being killed and over a 100 injured.
Goro Adola district, Guji – OLA forces took action against regime military units rallying in Jidola town. The regime military was forced to fully withdraw from the area after suffering over 50 casualties.
February 2nd, 2022Bule Hora district, Guji – OLA forces took action against a regime military convoy that was part of Abiy Ahmed and Shimeles Abdisa’s security detail during their visit to Yabelo. One vehicle carrying 18 members of the Republican Guard was completely destroyed and a second escaped after sustaining severe damage.
Karcha district, Guji – OLA forces took action against a regime stronghold in an area called Guracho resulting in 4 enemy combatants being killed and 6 being injured.
February 4th, 2022Saba Boru district, Guji – OLA forces took action against a regime military patrol resulting in 17 enemy combatants being killed and 8 being injured.
February 5th, 2022Wadara district, Guji – OLA forces took action against a regime military patrol in Sokora Harte resulting in 6 enemy combatants being killed and 6 being injured.
CENTRAL ZONE
January 30th, 2022Ambo district, West Shawa – OLA forces took action against the following three regime military positions simultaneously. Regime forces encamped in a Diki Elementary School.
Regime forces encamped in Kuliti town’s Rural Road Administration building.
Regime forces encamped in Tule School.
February 2nd, 2022Hidhabu Abote district, North Shawa – An attack on a regime military camp resulted in over 40 enemy combatants being killed, including 4 officers. Several AKMs, BKMs, and bags of munitions were captured.
Wara Jarso district, North Shawa – An attack on regime military positions in Qacame town resulted in 15 enemy combatants being killed.
Dagam district, North Shawa – An attack on a regime military camp resulted in over 20 enemy combatants being killed.Ethiopia Autonomous Media
Tigray is heartrendingly beautiful. Home of an ancient form of Christianity. Land of culture and civilisation.
The rock-hewn churches and monasteries in the mountains draw 000s of pilgrims. Easy to lose sight of that in a land now caught up in war, whose people are starving.Ethiopia Autonomous Media
OLA is fighting to destroy the rotten and oppressive Ethiopian Empire that has been there for more than 150 years. This time there is no second chance. Live free or die.
OLA continues to mobilize new forces – ENDF offensive staged in Dembi Dollo to recapture Gidami is routed by OLA – Government forces burn over 200 homes & kill dozens of civilians in Negele after sustaining heavy casualties in recent fighting with OLA this week
EASTERN ZONE
Miesso district, East Hararghe – Over 70 enemy combatants were killed in an area called Dibala in early morning fighting. Several heavy weapons were captured, including BKMs, RPGs, and mortars.
Guba Qoricha district, East Hararghe – OLA forces took action against a military convoy bringing reinforcements through Kora town. Over 38 enemy combatants were killed forcing the convoy to retreat.
Guba Qoricha district, East Hararghe – In a place called Laga Arda in the same district, 51 enemy combatants were killed and several more were injured during an engagement with OLA forces.
NORTHERN ZONE
December 29th, 2021Dawe district, Wollo – OLA forces took action on the regime military in Urane Salaama resulting in over 40 enemy combatants being killed and several weapons being captured.
CENTRAL ZONE
December 29th, 2021Dara district, North Shawa – OLA forces captured a regime camp in Cheka town. 11 enemy combatants were captured along with several weapons and explosives.
Dara district, North Shawa – In the same district, OLA forces took action against regime military positions in Babu Dire resulting in 45 enemy combatants killed, 47 injured and 13 captured. Several weapons were captured as well.
Dara district, North Shawa – In Jiru, OLA forces took action against a military patrol resulting in 9 enemy combatants being killed and 2 being captured.
December 30th, 2021Boset district, East Shawa – OLA forces took action on the regime military resulting in over 20 enemy combatants being killed, 35 being injured, and 5 being captured.
ID of captured regime soldier
December 31st, 2021Meta Wolkite district, West Shawa – OLA forces captured Minare town.
January 1st, 2022Hidhabu Abote district, North Shawa – An offensive on liberated areas by regime forces was routed by the OLA. The battle resulted in 103 enemy combatants killed and over 117 injured.
SOUTHERN ZONE
January 5th, 2022Nagele Borana town, Guji – A regime military offensive was routed resulting in 57 enemy combatants being killed and over 143 being injured.
January 6th, 2022Nagele Borana town, Guji – A regime military patrol was destroyed resulting in 11 enemy combatants being killed and over 16 being injured. Several weapons and supplies were captured.
Ethiopia Autonomous Media
As the current conflict in Ethiopia intensify, gambela liberation front would like to call on all Ethiopians and in particular Gambellans to stop propping the dying regime. It’s time we realise the misfortunes this regime has brought on to the country in its short existence as the ruling party. The social fabric that existed amongst Ethiopians is no longer there and the country risks plunging into a full blown civil war.
As we’ve been following the conflict for over a year now, it’s as plain as a pikestaff that the current ruling Prosperity Party has no interest in finding a way out of the tough predicament it has placed the country into. Rather it has exacerbated the situation by continuing with their war rhetoric, and continue to muster thousands of ill trained youth to the battlefields in the hope of reversing the dire situation it now find itself in.
We commend the millions of Ethiopians that have realised this, including the countless members of the armed forces who’ve either abandoned the frontlines or switched sides. We continue to call on the men and women from Gambella still serving under this genocidal regime to come to their senses and stop fighting their fellow countrymen for one man’s insatiable greed for power.
In collaboration with the other Ethiopian federalist forces that are operating in different parts of the country, Gambella liberation front is ready to welcome any member of the armed forces from Gambela that may wish to join the peoples movement. You can get in touch with us wherever you maybe in and around the frontlines and we will facilitate the necessary arrangements.
Last but not least we would also like to call on our diaspora community to stand in solidarity with GLF/A and all the oppressed nationalities of Ethiopia.
Date 24/11/2021
GLF/AEthiopia Autonomous Media
Tens of thousands of innocent Tigreans [including children & elderly) being held hostage in several military camps of , to pressure Tigrean forces from advancing to the capital Addis Ababa.
Tigrayans are being rounded up in Western Tigray by Amhara militia and fano. This is a continuation of the ethnic cleansing that has been happening for 12+ months.On 04 November 2021 around 2:00 AM local time, the invading Amhara militias and Fano shot killed, and tossed off the bodies of 370 Tigrayan civilians into a cliff found between two places in the Western Tigray called Giyits (ግይፅ) and Deguagu (ደጓጉ).
There have been aggressive hunting house to house & taken to unknown places or being massacred by the Ethiopia/ Eritrean forces.
Tigrayans staying safe across Ethiopia has become more difficult. On Nov. 11, 2021, the Ethiopian government announced landlords must register the identity of their tenants with the police.
Ethiopia Autonomous Media
It also vows to work hard to document the genocide, and to hold those responsible accountable, to create awareness about the Tigray genocide among churches and the wider world, and to contribute to the development of the Tigrayan culture and language
Bule Hora district, Guji – OLA forces took action against regime military units attempting to pass through Rophi town resulting in 17 enemy combatants being killed and 10 being injured.
The rock-hewn churches and monasteries in the mountains draw 000s of pilgrims. Easy to lose sight of that in a land now caught up in war, whose people are starving.
As a result ~15x AK rifles (Zastava M70B1 & M70B3, Type 56, AKM etc…) and a notable 5.56x45mm Singapore-made SAR-80 rifle were seized.
The Oromo People have a choice to stand with OLA or to stand with the traitors that sold out Oromia.
Jaal Marroo Diriba Lamessa from OLF-OLA and Mr Gatluak Buom Pal of GLF/GLA
Tigrayans are being rounded up in Western Tigray by Amhara militia and fano. This is a continuation of the ethnic cleansing that has been happening for 12+ months.
