MOGADISHU, Somalia

Ethiopian forces have captured three towns in the northern Tigray region, the government said on Tuesday.

Shire, Alamata, and Korem were taken under control “without fighting in urban areas,” according to a government statement.

It said the government is making “necessary preparations and will coordinate with the relevant humanitarian agencies to provide humanitarian aid through these areas … including via the Shire Airport.”

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) confirmed that it has lost control of Shire, but is yet to comment on the other two cities.

The Ethiopian army’s gains come amid a renewed push for a truce and peace talks under African Union (AU) mediation.

The TPLF on Sunday said it is “ready to abide by an immediate cessation of hostilities,” urging the international community to press Addis Ababa “to come to the negotiating table.”

Redwan Hussien, national security adviser to the Ethiopian prime minister, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to peace talks, saying it is waiting for the AU to announce a date.

He also countered recent statements from UN officials, including its chief Antonio Guterres, that the Tigray crisis “is spiraling out of control.”

“Just for the record, the conflict isn’t spiraling as opposed to some who would like to paint it. It was spiraling when being expanded to other regions. Now, it’s just being extinguished & degenerating,” Hussein said on Twitter.

The Tigray conflict has killed thousands and displaced millions more since November 2020.

There has been intense fighting in the northern Ethiopian region since a months-long truce was shattered in late August, with reports of mass casualties and other rights violations.

A report released by UN rights experts last month accused both sides of committing abuses that border on war crimes and crimes against humanity.