Pope Francis has called for the world to pray for Ethiopia as fighting between federal forces and rebels in Tigray region intensifies.
In a message on Twitter, the Pope invited “everyone to pray for Ethiopia where armed clashes have intensified and are causing a serious humanitarian situation.”
He added that “I appeal to the parties in conflict so that the violence might ceases, life may be safeguarded and the populations can regain.”
On Saturday Ethiopian military forces reportedly started their planned offensive on rebels in the Tigray region.
Reuters reported that the leader of rebellious forces said on Saturday that Ethiopian government forces had began the offensive to capture the regional capital, Mekelle.
