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Ethiopia's Tigray crisis: The Tigray People's Liberation Front explained

The TPLF, Tigray People's Liberation Front, were formed in 1975 with the aim of destabilising Ethiopia鈥檚 Derg regime and the Tigray people are historically one of the prominent groups in the country. Now, the TPLF are accused of destroying Ethiopia's unity and putting the constitution in danger. The current leader, Debretsion Gebremichael, a former guerilla fighter and early member of the group, says his people are ready to die defending their homeland.

Adem Abebe, an analyst and adviser with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, outlines the TLPF's history and how they ended up on a collision course with Abiy Ahmed's government.

Photo: A damaged tank on the road to Humera, Ethiopia, November 2020 Credit: Getty Images

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6 minutes