The Ethiopian government is facing new pressure from the US to slow down on the crackdown on the Tigray region for dialogue, with some rights groups warning of possible war crimes in the area.

Just about 24 hours to the end of the second ultimatum issued by the Ethiopian Prime Minister for the Tigray People’s Liberation Front to surrender, the US government said both parties must choose dialogue for the sake of civilians.

A statement from the US National Security Council indicated that Washington supports the African Union move to send special envoys to Addis Ababa.