Debretsion Gebremichael told AFP by phone he was determined to remain in Tigray and fight “as long as these invaders are on our land,” raising the spectre of extended hostilities.
Abiy, winner of last year’s Nobel Peace Prize, this month ordered military operations against Debretsion and other leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in response to what he said were TPLF-organised attacks on Ethiopian federal army camps.
Thousands have died so far and tens of thousands have fled into neighbouring Sudan.
