Operation Alula

Operation Alula Aba Nega (Tigrinya: ወፍሪ አሉላ አባ ነጋ), commonly shortened to Operation Alula (Tigrinya: ወፍሪ አሉላ), was a counter-offensive during the Tigray War by the Tigray Defense Forces against the Ethiopian military and its allies in Tigray. The operation was named after Ethiopian general Ras Alula Aba Nega, who was of Tigrayan descent.[5][6][7] The offensive was launched on 18 June 2021 and recaptured vast swaths of territory across central and eastern Tigray, including the regional capital of Mekelle.[7][8]

Operation Alula Aba Nega
Part of Tigray War
Date18 June 2021 – 6 July 2021
Location
Tigray Region, Ethiopia
Status TDF victory
Belligerents

 Tigray

  Ethiopia
 Eritrea
Commanders and leaders
Tigray Region Tsadkan Gebretensae
Tigray Region Debretsion Gebremichael
Tigray Region Getachew Reda
Tigray Region Tadesse Werede Tesfay		 Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed
Ethiopia Birhanu Jula
Isaias Afewerki
Eritrea Filipos Woldeyohannes
Units involved
Unknown
Ethiopian divisions:
  • Ethiopia Ethiopian infantry divisions[1]
    • 11th infantry division
    • 20th infantry division
    • 21st infantry division
    • 24th infantry division
    • 25th infantry division
    • 31st infantry division
    • 32nd infantry division
Eritrean divisions:
  • Eritrea Eritrean infantry divisions[1]
    • 21st infantry division
    • 32nd infantry division
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown 10,000+ killed (TDF claim)[2]
3,356 captured (TDF claim)[2]
1 Lockheed C-130 Hercules[3]
At least 64 civilians killed[4]

Timeline

On 23 June, the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) shot down an Ethiopian Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules cargo plane.[3]

On 28 June, the TDF took control of the regional capital of Mekelle after forcing ENDF troops to retreat.[8]

On 29 June, Eritrean soldiers withdrew from Shire, Axum and Adwa, allowing TDF forces to move in.[9]

References
  1. "Situation Report EEPA HORN No. 171 - 21 June 2021" (PDF). Europe External Programme with Africa.
  2. "Situation Report EEPA HORN No. 174 - 24 June 2021" (PDF). Europe External Programme with Africa.
  3. Dahir, Abdi Latif; Marks, Simon (29 June 2021). "Tigray Rebels in Ethiopia Celebrate a Victory: Live Updates". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  4. "Calls for inquiry as dozens killed, injured, in Ethiopia market airstrike". France 24. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  5. Libération, 29 June 2021: «Alula», l’opération militaire qui a soudain fait basculer la guerre au Tigré
  6. "Situation Report EEPA HORN No. 176 - 29 June 2021" (PDF). Europe External Programme with Africa.
  7. Tronvoll, Kjetil (25 June 2021). "Eritrea's final war?". Ethiopia Insight. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  8. Walsh, Declan; Marks, Simon (28 June 2021). "Ethiopian Forces Retreat in Tigray, and Rebels Enter the Capital". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  9. "Eritrean forces withdraw from key towns in Ethiopia's Tigray". AP NEWS. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
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