A moto video produced by the Ethiopian National Defense Force documents a massive operation into the country's northern Tigray region in an attempt to neutralize the opposition Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The footage was likely recorded in late 2020.

The civil war in Ethiopia has been ongoing for the last eight months between the current government who is backed by the Eritreans against the Tigrayans. The Tigrayans had ruled Ethiopia for 30 years prior to recent elections.

While keeping in mind that this video was compiled for propaganda purposes and intended to make the Ethiopian government forces look capable... It does just that. Almost all instances of small arms engagement shows soldiers carefully aiming their weapons systems and conserving ammunition, a seemingly rare quality in certain geographical regions. Unit maneuvers also appear organized, rather than the typical gaggle swarms one would assume.

While the Ethiopian National Defense Force presents a professional appearance in this footage, video evidence of mass killings carried out by government forces against unarmed Tigrayans has recently surfaced, and the Ethiopian air force also targeted a busy civilian marketplace with airstrikes, killing dozens. The Tigrayans responded by shooting down a military C-130.

In late June, Tigrayan forces retook their regional capital Mekelle, sending government forces into retreat. The Ethiopian military called for a ceasefire, which the Tigrayans rejected. Instead, the TPLF announced they would not stop fighting until all Tigrayan territory is cleared of government forces. The TPLF even hinted at retribution operations into Eritrea as punishment for supporting the government in their operation into Tigray.