麻豆约拍

The regional government in the northern Tigray region in Ethiopia has issued a decree ordering the total mobilisation of its people. State television said the authorities had ordered the population to defend itself against what it described as the flagrant aggression of the federal government.

There have been days of clashes between the federal army and troops loyal to the regional authorities, the TPLF - but it's difficult to verify exactly what's happening, and which forces are involved, as all communications with the area have been cut off.

For a Tigrayan perspective, we spoke to Fiseha Asgedom, a former Ethiopian ambassador to the United Nations who lives in Tigray but is currently in the US.

(Photo: Tigrayan special forces seized an army base last week)