Mekele, the capital of Tigray province, sees the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops

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Michele greeted the news with cheers and CNN reporters watched as people poured into the streets to celebrate, despite calls for them to stay home. Fireworks can also be heard as the festivities continue into the night.

Tigray regional government spokesman Getachew Reda said Monday that its forces had “broken the backbone of the Ethiopian army” after nine divisions fought for control of the capital.

He said he would celebrate taking back the city with friends this evening, but the conflict was far from over. “People are celebrating, the capital has been liberated from our enemies, but as far as I’m concerned, there’s not much to celebrate because we still have to fight to do,” Reda told CNN by phone.

“Our objectives undermine the combat capabilities of the enemy. This is a criminal army and we will follow it everywhere to make sure it does not have the ability to return.”

“We will not stop until Tigray is cleared of any and all hostile forces. We will do whatever it takes,” he concluded.

CNN has reached out to the Ethiopian government for comment but has yet to listen. However, on Monday, the government said in a statement carried by state broadcaster ABC that it had accepted the cease-fire request submitted by the pro-executive Tigray Interim Government in Addis Ababa.

According to the statement, the unilateral ceasefire will continue throughout the region until the end of the crucial planting season in Tigray, which ends at the end of September.

Seven months ago, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, with the help of neighboring Eritrea, entered into conflict with the elected leadership of the region – the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.

Last week, at least 30 people were killed when a government airstrike hit a crowded market in the small town of Togoga, west of Mikkeli, witnesses and medics told CNN.

That air strike was one of the bloodiest in the eight-month war that fueled famine, forced millions to flee and badly damaged the reputation of the Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Allegations of damage and looting

Reza, the regional government spokesman, also accused the retreating Ethiopian army of looting banks and damaging vital infrastructure on its way out of Mekele. “We decided to prioritize taking control of the capital rather than pursuing the enemy because they were targeting banks and sabotaging property,” he explained.

Earlier on Monday, witnesses told CNN that Ethiopian soldiers were seen entering banks, media offices and the offices of humanitarian agencies. A UN official also told CNN that Ethiopian forces raided the offices of the International Organization for Migration, UNICEF and the World Food Program around 4 pm local time.

UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore condemned the act “in the strongest terms”.

“People from the Ethiopian National Defense Forces entered our office in Mekele, Tigray, Ethiopia today and dismantled our very small terminal equipment,” she said. “This act violates the privileges and immunities of the United Nations and the rules of international humanitarian law in respect of the objectives of humanitarian relief.”

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric joined the criticism of the Ethiopian forces when asked by journalists at the United Nations in New York.

“We condemn any and all attacks on humanitarian personnel and assets and once again remind all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law,” Dujarric told reporters on Monday. “The safety of our employees is a priority and we are doing everything we can to ensure that.”

He also said, “All parties must ensure that civilians are protected and that all humanitarian assistance provided by the United Nations is provided in accordance with humanitarian principles.”

Bethlehem Felic reported on CNN from Nairobi, and Richard Roth and Christina Siglia from New York City.

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