The apparent execution of three Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) aid workers during a humanitarian assessment in Ethiopia's war-ravaged Tigray region is under scrutiny due to a recently released report that implicates the Ethiopian military in their deaths. The investigation highlights disturbing details that the three professionals—Spanish national María Hernández Matas, along with Ethiopians Yohannes Halefom Reda and Tedros Gebremariam—were visibly identifiable as humanitarian workers when they were shot at close range on June 24, 2021. MSF’s general director, Raquel Ayora, emphasized to BBC that their charity flag was displayed on the vehicle, indicating the awareness of the attackers regarding their targets.
Despite ongoing dialogue with the Ethiopian government over the past four years, MSF's attempts to gather a credible account of the tragedy have gone unheeded. Eyewitness accounts, alongside satellite imagery, have reportedly confirmed the presence of a convoy of Ethiopian soldiers near the site during the attack and one witness alleged to have heard a commander ordering an assault on the aid workers. However, MSF urged further clarification on the extent of military involvement in the incident.
The ongoing conflict in Tigray began in 2020 amid significant tensions between the regional and federal authorities, escalating when Eritrean forces supported the Ethiopian army. Though the conflict concluded with a peace agreement in 2022, the fallout has been devastating, with an estimated 600,000 fatalities linked to fighting, hunger, and healthcare shortages.
MSF expressed profound sorrow over the loss of their team members, noting how much they were valued in the community and highlighting the personal tragedies that followed their deaths, including the birth of Tedros’ daughter shortly before he was killed. With the safety of humanitarian workers further compromised in the region, MSF's report reiterates the urgency of accountability and the protection of those rendering aid in conflict zones.
Despite ongoing dialogue with the Ethiopian government over the past four years, MSF's attempts to gather a credible account of the tragedy have gone unheeded. Eyewitness accounts, alongside satellite imagery, have reportedly confirmed the presence of a convoy of Ethiopian soldiers near the site during the attack and one witness alleged to have heard a commander ordering an assault on the aid workers. However, MSF urged further clarification on the extent of military involvement in the incident.
The ongoing conflict in Tigray began in 2020 amid significant tensions between the regional and federal authorities, escalating when Eritrean forces supported the Ethiopian army. Though the conflict concluded with a peace agreement in 2022, the fallout has been devastating, with an estimated 600,000 fatalities linked to fighting, hunger, and healthcare shortages.
MSF expressed profound sorrow over the loss of their team members, noting how much they were valued in the community and highlighting the personal tragedies that followed their deaths, including the birth of Tedros’ daughter shortly before he was killed. With the safety of humanitarian workers further compromised in the region, MSF's report reiterates the urgency of accountability and the protection of those rendering aid in conflict zones.
