The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) released video showing the successful anti air operation against an Ethiopian air force Mi-35 helicopter, which took place on Nov. 11, 2021.

“Our anti-aircraft units in the Mille front have downed an MI-35 helicopter gunship...,” a TPLF spokesperson said in an official statement. The TPLF also claimed the action was in response to the Ethiopian Air Force bombing two Tigray rebel targets in the days prior.

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. Back in June, the Tigray rebels shot down an Ethiopian Air Force C-130 in response to the government bombing civilians.

The incident is part of an ever-escalating one-year-old civil war between the current Ethiopian government and the Tigrayan people, who formerly ruled the nation.

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