ADDIS ABABA, 05 November 2021, (TON): The US embassy in Ethiopia has authorized the voluntary departure of non-emergency government staff and family members because of armed conflict, it said on its website.

The decision came after the United States said on Wednesday it was gravely concerned about the escalating violence and expansion of hostilities, repeating a call for a halt to military operations in favor of cease-fire talks.

The embassy said in a statement “the (State) Department authorized the voluntary departure of non-emergency US government employees and family members of emergency and non-emergency employees from Ethiopia due to armed conflict, civil unrest, and possible supply shortages.”

It added “travel to Ethiopia is unsafe and further escalation is likely.”

It said “the government of Ethiopia has previously restricted or shut down Internet, cellular data, and phone services during and after civil unrest.”

Government spokesperson Legesse Tulu did not immediately respond to a telephone call seeking comment on the US embassy statement.