“Their brutality can only add (to) our resolve to fight these invaders to the last,” said Debretsion Gebremichael in a message. Asked by Reuters in a text message if that meant his forces will continue fighting, he replied: “Certainly. This is about defending our right to self determination.”

There was no immediate response to this from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government. Abiy said earlier that police were searching for the leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and they would be apprehended and brought to justice.