Move comes after Tigrayan fighters said they had captured two strategic towns in Amhara region and considered marching on Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia’s council of ministers has declared a nationwide state of emergency effective immediately, according to state media.
The move on Tuesday came after fighters from the northern Tigray region, who have been fighting federal government forces for a year, said they had captured the strategic towns of Dessie and Kombolcha in Amhara region, and indicated they might advance on the capital, Addis Ababa, further south. The government said soldiers were still battling for control.
Earlier in the day, authorities in Addis Ababa told residents to registers their weapons in the next two days and prepare to defend the city.
More to follow…