Reports emerging from Alamata in southern Tigray describe a night of violence against civilians, with residents accusing members of Tigray’s Army 31 of breaking into homes and businesses, beating residents, looting property and disarming local militia.
Graphic photographs and videos circulating from Alamata show bloodied and injured people who are victims of the attacks. Among those documenting the violence is Mekelle University professor Dr. Mu’uz Gidey, who on Wednesday posted a disturbing photograph of the bloodied face of his younger sister, Ribiqa, along with an injured employee of her business.
Dr. Mu’uz Gidey says his sisters were among the victims and alleges the violence was part of a broader operation against a population treated as hostile territory.
UMD Media subsequently spoke with Dr. Mu’uz, who said his family’s experience was partly connected to his political activism but said that the violence was much broader and represented a planned crackdown against communities regarded by military authorities as potentially sympathetic to opposing forces.
Army 31 and the Tigray military leadership have not, based on information available at publication time, publicly responded to the specific accusations.
"Brutal Acts by Members of Army 31"
In his first Facebook post, titled "Brutal acts by members of Army 31!", Dr. Mu’uz said another younger sister, Zinash, known among friends as "Gemja Raya", had been detained about a week earlier after authorities allegedly fabricated accusations against her. She was later released through mediation by elders.
He said Army 31 members then spent Tuesday night in Alamata "looting and beating the population," with local militia members also reportedly targeted.
Dr. Mu’uz said soldiers entered Ribiqa’s premises, seized her phone and severely beat her and an employee. He posted photographs showing their injuries and called for the attacks to stop immediately and those responsible to be brought to justice.
Dr. Mu’uz: Family Targeted, but Operation Was Much Broader
UMD Media asked Dr. Mu’uz whether his relatives were targeted because of their association with him and his criticism of how Tigray is currently governed.
"Yes," he said, adding that they were being targeted partly because of their personal connection to him. "But it is not limited to me."
According to Dr. Mu’uz, authorities had already developed a broader security operation in which parts of Raya were effectively identified as "enemy territory."
He said the assumption was that if the Tigray Peace Force (TPF) or Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) entered or launched an attack, these communities could become initial bases of support.
He said that similar thinking existed regarding Enderta and surrounding areas.
"The strategy to crack down on the population was systematic and planned," he told UMD Media.
Militia Disarmed Before Crackdown
Dr. Mu’uz said local militia were first stripped of their weapons and later questioned over allegations that they had transferred or sold their guns to the TPF.
He distinguishes between what he describes as an organized security operation and additional abuses committed by soldiers during it. According to him, soldiers engaged in widespread looting, beatings and sexual violence.
He told UMD Media about events involving the rape of girls, including minors. He said that during an earlier deployment near the airstrip, a 10-year-old relative of his wife was among 12 young girls raped, and that sexual assaults were also reported inside Alamata.
"What happened yesterday looked like a coordinated campaign," Dr. Mu’uz said.
Previous Arrest Over Speaking Up About Raya Drought
Dr. Mu’uz said the earlier detention of his sister Zinash also demonstrated the political suspicion surrounding activities in Raya.
According to him, authorities challenged her for speaking about drought and attempting to raise assistance, accusing her of politicizing the drought and questioning whether the money would ultimately reach the TPF. Community elders intervened, arguing that responding to drought should not constitute wrongdoing, and she was eventually released.
His other sister, Ribiqa, was subjected to direct physical violence. Dr. Mu’uz said soldiers entered her business, looted merchandise, took her phone and beat her and her employee before leaving.
Other residents and social-media users are circulating substantially more graphic photographs and videos of additional victims of the Alamata violence.
Army 31 Commander Reportedly Being Elevated
Army 31 is commanded by General Zenebe Kifle. According to UMD Media sources, Zenebe is being promoted to a front-level leadership position and is regarded as trusted by the TPLF leadership.
There is currently no evidence presented by UMD Media establishing that General Zenebe personally ordered the alleged beatings, looting or sexual violence. An independent investigation would be necessary to establish what orders were issued and responsibility at different levels of command.
Alamata Attack Raises Wider Questions
Witnesses who spoke to UMD Media described soldiers breaking into homes during the night, harassing and beating residents and taking property.
People sharing photographs, videos and testimonies are now calling for an independent investigation, particularly into the sexual violence, disarming of local militia, reported designation of communities as enemy territory, the orders given to Army 31 and responsibility throughout its command structure.
Originally published on UMD Media Facebook on 2026-09-03T09:00:00-06:00. Source: https://www.facebook.com/getachew.UMDMedia