Many civilians have been killed in the conflict – and an attack on a marketplace last week saw numerous casualties

The interim administration in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, appointed by the federal government, has called for an immediate ceasefire in a clear shift of tone by the government since war broke out last November.

Addis Ababa has been consistent in rejecting international calls for humanitarian cease fire.

Meanwhile, sources in the region’s capital, Mekelle, say that Tigrayan fighters have been seen in the city for the first time since November last year.

There has been heavy fighting for the past few days in Tigray.

The region’s former ruling party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which was ousted by the federal government, has claimed military gains.

The army had previously dismissed claims of rebel successes but is yet to say anything on the Tigrayan forces’ reported entry into Mekelle.

The conflict has created a humanitarian crisis. A UN-backed estimate said that 350,000 people were living in famine conditions and more than five million needed humanitarian assistance of some description.