Ethiopia
The conflict in Ethiopia has been mentioned in previous newsletters. It is continuing and not getting much attention in the international media. But, CNN’s Nima Elbagir has been to the Tigray region, where the fighting is centered, and come back with some powerful reporting, including an exclusive that reveals soldiers from neighbouring Eritrea, who are fighting alongside the Ethiopian government, have been blocking humanitarian access to food insecure areas. Read more from CNN here.
And here is her TV report. Warning: It makes for distressing viewing.
Israel-Palestine
Israel has now mobilized ground forces near its border with Gaza, raising the prospect of a ground invasion, which would represent a significant escalation in fighting.
As I write, news is breaking and it looks like this is indeed happening.
Al Jazeera live blog here. Middle East Eye live blog here. Al Jazeera television streaming live here. And Israel’s Haaretz newspaper here. Useful background pieces here, here and here.
Iran
Very disturbing story out of Iran. A 20-year-old gay man is reported to have been kidnapped and beheaded in a homophobic attack. His partner told the BBC he believes that Ali Fazeli Monfared’s male relatives may have been behind the murder.
More from the BBC here.