NAIROBI (Reuters), – The United States Secretaryof State Antony Blinken expressed concern Monday about reports that Tigrayan rebel forces have taken control of two crucial Ethiopian towns, Kombolcha and Dessie.

“Continuous fighting prolongs the terrible humanitarian crisis in north Ethiopia. He stated that all sides must cease military operations and enter ceasefire negotiations, without conditions.

Tigray People’s Liberation Front, (TPLF), stated on Sunday that its fighters had taken control of Kombolcha’s airport and took over Kombolcha.

For the Ethiopian military and allies who want to free the Tigrayans of the Amhara, the capture of Kombolcha is a strategic victory.

This is a large city on a main highway, approximately 380 km (235 miles) from Addis-Ababa. It is also the most southerly point in Amhara where the TPLF have reached since advancing into the region in July.

The government also said that it had taken Dessie in Ethiopia’s Amhara, where thousands of Amharas sought safety from the escalating fighting. It denied that.

Nearly a year ago, war broke out between federal troops and TPLF. TPLF dominated Ethiopian politics for almost 30 years until Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was elected in 2018.

Conflict has resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians, and more than 2 million refugees fleeing their homes.