Ethiopian government declares Tigray truce to let aid in

Blockaded region faces severe humanitarian crisis after 16 months of war, with UN estimating 5 million people in urgent need of food

Ethiopia's government has declared an immediate humanitarian truce" with rebel Tigrayan forces to allow aid into the besieged northern region where millions are facing starvation.

The government led by the prime minster, Abiy Ahmed, said the ceasefire declared on Thursday could pave the way for the resolution of the conflict in northern Ethiopia without further bloodshed", and analysts in the country expressed hopes that if it holds, the deal may eventually lead to a diplomatic resolution.