SW News: The Ethiopian military carried out two airstrikes in the unrest-hit region of Tigray on Wednesday, October 20, thereby intensifying the conflict in the region. Thousands of people have lost their lives and a million others were injured and displaced ever since the conflict began.

According to media reports, the airstrikes took place on Wednesday morning and they targeted the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in Mekelle, Tigray’s capital city.

There was a second attack on the same day after a few hours, said government spokesperson Legesse Tulu. He said that the second attack targeted a military training centre and heavy artillery depot in Agbe in the Tembe region, which is about 80 kilometers west of Mekelle.

Wednesday’s attacks were the third one this week. The first attack took place on Monday, October 18, claiming the lives of three children and injuring one person. According to TPLF-run Tigrai Television, the attacks targetted the capital city’s centre. However, the government denied the claim and said that they were targetting the buildings that were used by the members of the TPLF to repair their weapons.

According to Tulu, the TPLF has "been adept at hiding munitions and heavy artillery in places of worship and using ordinary Tigrayans as a human shield." Wednesday’s airstrikes led to several homes being damaged.

Nine civilians, and a five-year-old child have been admitted to the Ayder Referral Hospital for injuries caused by the attacks. The attacks by the Ethiopian government against the TPLF began last November and have been going ever since. In June, the government imposed a blockade over the region of Tigray, thereby increasing the risk of millions of people dying from lack of food. Tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge elsewhere.