Ethiopian Troops Accused of Executing MSF Aid Workers in Tigray Conflict

A recent report by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has accused Ethiopian government forces of executing three of its aid workers during the 2021 Tigray conflict. The organization claims that the attack on the workers—two Ethiopians and one Spanish national—was deliberate, with their identities clearly visible in MSF attire. Raquel Ayora, MSF Spain's director, revealed that the charity's investigation determined that the Ethiopian military was directly responsible for the killings, which occurred amid a dangerous escalation of hostilities in the region. Despite attempts to engage the Ethiopian government for accountability, MSF has received no credible response regarding the incident. The targeted killings raise serious concerns about the safety of humanitarian workers in conflict zones, highlighting the escalating violence against aid organizations in Tigray.

The three individuals killed on June 24, 2021, were on a mission to assess the medical needs in central Tigray, which had been embroiled in warfare since the conflict ignited in 2020. "They were executed," Ayora stated bluntly, emphasizing the brutality of the attack as the victims were shot at close range. Tragically, the families of the deceased have been left to cope with their loss—Maria Hernández Matas was the sole child of her mother, and Tedros Gebremariam's widow gave birth shortly after his death, naming their daughter after her father’s Spanish colleague.

Eyewitness testimonies and satellite imagery reportedly place the Ethiopian military at the scene, with claims of a military officer instructing his troops to eliminate the aid workers. Ethiopian officials have dismissed these allegations, but they have not provided a written statement to support their claims. As global attacks on aid workers rise, MSF insists on accountability to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in conflict zones worldwide.