The joint force of the rebels Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) Sunday captured Shewa Robit, a town 220 kilometers north of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.Information reaching APA confirmed that the TPLF-OLF joint force has attacked the town with mortars, wounding and killing several people. The heavily armed invading force has burned down churches and looted the town.

Shewa Robit was defended by Amhara Fano and militia, but they were out-gunned by TPLF and OLF fighters, eyewitnesses told APA.

The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s command has made no effort to defend the town, the witnesses told APA through telephone.

TPLF-OLF forces had been trying to capture Shewa Robit  since last week. For a reason that has not been made clear yet, Fano and Amhara militia have been prevented by ENDF from taking part in the Shewa Robit battle until Saturday.

Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s leadership has practically stopped fighting in Amhara Region after its southern Wollo front collapsed due to the extreme incompetence of Abiy’s own leadership and that of his commanders, many of whom are political appointees with no fighting skill.

 Hence the task of defending against TPLF and OLF has fallen entirely on the shoulders of Amhara Region forces whose fighting efforts have been hampered by Abiy Ahmed’s Administration. Amhara Special Force is not receiving the necessary logistical support from the federal government.