Ethiopia's army says it repelled Tigrayan attacks as fears grow of return to civil war

Ethiopia's army has issued its first statement since fighting broke out on Wednesday, saying it repelled attacks by Tigrayan forces in Amhara region near the Tigray border, inflicting heavy casualties and seizing weapons. The escalation follows the TPLF's seizure of three airports from federal police. TPLF vice-president Amanuel Assefa told AFP "we are in the situation of full-blown war now". The army's claims are unverified, and there are unconfirmed reports of attacks in Afar and Amhara.