As Jan. 2022 draws to a close, we focus on the #Irob minority of #Tigray. Jan. 7 was the 1️⃣ year anniversary of the #IrobMassacre by 🇪🇷 forces in which at least 72 people were killed as they celebrated Christmas.

More on the massacre while under 🇪🇷 occupation since Nov. 2020👇🏾 Without electricity, telecommunication services, the internet & access to most of the district, Irob remains largely cut off from the rest of the world. But we know the #Irob continue to face an existential threat under #Eritrea|n occupation. 
#IrobMassacre #AllowAccessToTigray

Tigrayan nonprofits and community-based organizations within the global diaspora collectively condemn the Ethiopian federal government's illegitimate temporary ceasefire and framing of this action as a humanitarian gesture.

omnatigray.org/tigrayan-nonpr… The Ethiopian government's history of deceptiveness, continued use of weaponized starvation, apparent mobilization of fighter jets, and lack of a withdrawal of Amhara and Eritrean forces proves the federal government is still an active threat to Tigray.

For months, we have been raising the alarm on UNHCR’s lack of action in protecting + providing aid for Tigrayan refugees. We’ve heard reports of human trafficking, refugees eating once a day + lack of support for shelter destroyed by flooding. @Refugees

thenewhumanitarian.org/2021/07/07/exc… “The alleged lack of services [by @Refugees] has left camp residents at risk of trafficking, armed recruitment, and sexual violence, which describes the situation as at a stage where “the safety, security and dignity of refugees is at severe risk, + lives may be lost.”

New campaign: #TigrayCantWait

Amidst the communication blackout + genocidal man-made famine, we are calling for:

- Public services to resume
- An end to the mass arrests of Tigrayans across Ethiopia
- Humanitarian aid to be delivered via an air bridge

omnatigray.org/tigraycantwait/ Tigray is currently under siege.

Following the military defeat of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, the Ethiopian federal government is working with Amhara and Eritrean forces to continue waging genocide on Tigrayan civilians in Tigray and across Ethiopia. #TigrayCantWait

1.4M+ children in Tigray have not been to school for over a year as Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Amhara forces have used educational institutions as a base for military operations.

These forces have also looted books, computers + other resources and destroyed these institutions. Educational institutions are considered “soft targets” since they are easy to attack and there is the potential for forces to inflict mass casualties.

Targeting children by destroying educational institutions thereby destroys the hope, ambitions + future of an entire community.

In the past 24 hrs, Tigray Defense Forces took back Mekelle + the elected Govt of Tigray has been re-instated. Civilian targeting increases after invading forces face huge losses in the war.

Join us as we call for action to protect the people of Tigray.

omnatigray.org/all-eyes-on-ti… Civilians are not targets.

The Ethiopian and Eritrean armies, along with Amhara militias have consistently brutally targeted civilians as part of their strategy during the ongoing genocidal war on Tigray. #CiviliansAreNotTargets

Thread: Today, the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) have captured back a number of cities, including Mekelle, the capital city of #Tigray. The elected Government of Tigray has also now been re-instated. We remain optimistic about a quicker end to this genocidal war, yet also extremely worried about the people of Tigray who continue to be targets after heavy losses by invading forces.

Omna Tigray strongly condemns Ethiopia’s recent attack on civilians in Togoga, Tigray and Ethiopia’s failure to ensure the safety of aid workers throughout the region.

omnatigray.org/on-the-brutal-… The targeted airstrike by Ethiopian forces (who confirmed responsibility for the attack) in the town of Togoga on Tuesday, June 22nd that resulted in at least 64 people killed and 180 injured, is devastating and morally reprehensible.

Since coming into power in 2018, @AbiyAhmedAli has manipulated the media, the international community and Ethiopians into perceiving his actions will be democratic and progressive. In reality, all of his "reforms" have been reversed or used to centralize his authoritarian rule. Ethiopia under Abiy has taken a sharp turn to authoritarianism, with countless political prisoners, media and free speech repression, gross human rights violations, and the escalation and commencement of multiple conflicts and wars, including the genocidal war in Tigray.

How to get involved to help stop the #TigrayGenocide:

Below, we've listed a few ways to take action and highlighted just a few of the many organizations and individuals advocating for the people of Tigray.

Each individual's contributions matter + add up to a collective impact. At a topline level, you can help stop the #TigrayGenocide by:

- Reaching out to your elected officials by calling, writing letters or signing petitions
- Raising awareness and participating in action-oriented campaigns
- Attending and amplifying local protests

A Genocide starts with words, ostracizing & marginalization.

For centuries, Tigrayans + other ethnic *minorities (*socially, politically + economically) in Ethiopia have endured racism, cultural destruction, political + economic oppression, land grab + state-sponsored violence. This has happened generationally.

This conflict isn’t merely against a political party — it is against the Tigrayan people. It is collective punishment based off centuries of systemic oppression.