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Ethiopia says killed or captured Tigrayan leaders

Conflicting reports were coming out of Ethiopia on Saturday (December 5) about the month-long war in the mountainous Tigray region bordering Eritrea.

Ethiopia says it has captured or killed most commanders of a rebel northern force, while Tigray's fugitive local leader said civilians were protesting against looting by occupying soldiers.

A video broadcast on state channel ETV on Friday showed an Ethiopian military commander holding up what he said was the ID of the spokesperson for the Tigray People's Liberation Front, Getachew Reda.

In an interview with the state broadcaster, Colonel Shambel Beyene stated that the Ethiopian National Defence Forces were only 10 kilometres from the hideout of the rebel leaders.

A large armoury stacked with ammunition, reportedly belonging to the TPLF, was also captured according to the Ethiopian military, near the Tigray capital, Mekelle.

Neither side gave proof for their claims, but phone communications have been down and access severely restricted both for media and aid workers.

Fighting between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's federal army and forces loyal to the region's former ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front, began on November 4.

Thousands of people are believed to have died while more than 46,000 refugees have crossed to neighbouring Sudan.