Ethiopia declares state of emergency as Tigrayan rebels gain ground

PM urges citizens to arm themselves as US clears way for further economic sanctions

Ethiopia has declared a state of emergency after forces from the northern region of Tigray said they were gaining territory and considering marching on the capital Addis Ababa.

The declaration came as Joe Biden accused the government of gross violations of internationally recognised human rights" and said he that he was removing Ethiopia from a key US trade program, clearing the way for further economic sanctions over its failure to end the nearly year-long conflict.