麻豆约拍

Fighting between Ethiopia's federal troops and regional troops from the northern province of Tigray has now been ongoing for nearly a week - raising fears that the conflict could destabilise Africa's second most populous nation. Members of militias from Amhara - which borders Tigray - have also been seen travelling to the area.

On Monday, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed tried to defuse concerns that the conflict could spread - saying it was a short term operation which would end when the 'criminal junta' there was disarmed.

In the meantime concern is growing about the impact on civilians, with the region completely sealed off and communications cut. The UN has said nine million people are at high risk of being displaced by the fighting.

Mohammed Girma of the University of Roehampton, himself an Ethiopian and an expert on nationalism, explained the roots of the conflict - and the situation now.

"There is this added masculinity and misplaced heroism from both sides... The Prime Minister, he sent elders and religious leaders to mediate between the Tigrayan leaders and himself, but that mediation was not accepted."

(Photo: Members of Amhara region militias being driven towards the Tigray border. Credit: Reuters.)

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