Residents and leaders told Addis Standard that protests have been taking place in various areas of the region for the past two days, “condemning the attack launched by Tigray security forces in Tonsa Kebele, Megale Woreda, Afar Region, and demanding that the group vacate the villages it has occupied.”

A resident of Tonsa Kebele in Megale Woreda said, "TPLF militants are in control of the villages of Wura, Karfatu, Milki, Mila, Warqa, Doya and Kela Gobe."

The resident stated that "many residents have been forced to leave their villages" and added that "most of the residents of the villages are currently facing severe hardship due to the scorching sun during the day and the cold at night."

Following this, residents "held demonstrations demanding the withdrawal of the TPLF from the areas it occupied and the return of displaced people to their homes."