Tigray rebels start handing over heavy weapons

A street in Mekele, capital of Ethiopia’s Tigray

A street in Mekele, the capital of Ethiopia’s Tigray region. PHOTO | AFP

Tigrayan rebels said Wednesday they have begun handing in their heavy weapons, a key part of a deal signed more than two months ago to end a deadly conflict in northern Ethiopia.

The terms of the November 2 peace agreement include disarming rebel forces, restoring federal authority in Tigray and reopening access and communications to the region, which has been cut off from the outside world since mid-2021.