Togoga airstrike

At about noon[1] or 1 PM on 22 June 2021, the marketplace of Togoga, a village in northern Ethiopia's Tigray Region, was hit by an airstrike killing 64, wounding 184, and destroying 25 houses.[3][10]

Tuesday is market day in Togogwa.[11] There were many people in the market, between 3000-5000 people from the wider surroundings (up to 15-20 km away, all people are on foot); the market is a weekly market, but in June there are always many people in the market because it is sowing time, and people come to exchange or buy seed.[1][12]

This was the first market day after the Ethiopian and Eritrean armies had retreated from the area under pressure of the Tigray Defense Forces. The bombardment was around noon; markets start around 9 AM in Tigray as people need to travel on foot to the town – at noon the number of people in the market was at its maximum. Since Derg time, markets had not been a target of air bombardments, also not in this war, and the bombardment came unexpected.[1]

Around the same time, an airplane also threw a bomb on the village of Addilal, some 20 kilometres away. There was also a market ongoing in Addilal, but the bomb missed its target and fell on school buildings.[1]

Ambulances attempting to reach Togoga were blocked by soldiers near Tukhul, but another convoy of ambulances managed to reach via a different route. One convoy of ambulances were even shot at by Ethiopian troops two separate times. Ambulances managed to bring 25 of the wounded (including toddlers) to Ayder Referral Hospital in Mekelle a day later.[7][13]

One of the victims of the Togoga airstrike[13]

Most victims were not from Togogwa itself, they were visitors of the market. After the attack, relatives and friends collected the dead bodies, prepared makeshift stretchers, and carried them to their home village. This creates delays for the elaboration of the list of victims.[1] According to local witnesses 33 victims have been identified.[14]

• The local people assume that the bombardment was done on purpose that day, as a reminder of the Derg bombardment of Hawzen that took place on the same date, 33 years earlier.[1]
• Hailu Kebede, foreign affairs head for the Salsay Woyane Tigray opposition party originates from Togogwa and was interviewed by the Associated Press.[7]
• The UN stated that they are "deeply disturbed" about reported of aid being blocked to the bomb site. Ramesh Rajasingham the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator stated "attacks directed against civilians and indiscriminate attacks are prohibited."[3]
• The EU stated that "if confirmed, the blocking of ambulances could amount to a violation of international law.". The EU also stated that (this bombing) "adds to the appalling series of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights" and that they “strongly condemns the deliberate targeting of civilians”.[7]
• The U.S. State Department stated it is "concerned by reports of civilian deaths in the market attack and urged Ethiopian authorities to ensure full medical access for all the victims." and that "We also call for an urgent and independent investigation, as well as remedial action, to hold those responsible for this attack accountable,".[15]

• World Peace Foundation: Starving Tigray