Ethiopian Troops Accused of Executing Humanitarian Workers During Tigray Conflict

Sun Oct 19 2025 07:39:02 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Médecins Sans Frontières claims three of its staff were targeted and killed by military forces while conducting humanitarian missions in Tigray.

A senior official from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has accused Ethiopian government forces of executing three aid workers during a humanitarian mission in Tigray four years ago. The charity's investigation reveals that the workers were identifiable and targeted, highlighting ongoing concerns about the safety of humanitarian personnel amid the Tigray conflict.

Ethiopian government forces "executed" three employees of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) while they were on a humanitarian mission in Ethiopia's Tigray region, a senior MSF official reported. Raquel Ayora, the general director of MSF Spain, confirmed these findings as the organization released its report on the targeted killings during the 2021 Tigray conflict. The victims included a Spanish national, María Hernández Matas, and two Ethiopians, Yohannes Halefom Reda and Tedros Gebremariam. All three were shot at close range while traveling in a vehicle clearly marked with MSF insignia to assess medical needs.

"They were executed," Ayora alleged, emphasizing the close proximity and multiple shots fired at the workers. Despite MSF's ongoing efforts to engage the Ethiopian government for a credible account of the incident, they have received no sufficient explanation after 20 meetings over the years. The charity’s report noted that the three individuals, considered dedicated and passionate, were killed on June 24, 2021, with their travel plans shared with the conflicting parties in advance.

The Tigray conflict erupted in late 2020 due to escalating tensions between the regional and federal governments, leading to a catastrophic situation where an estimated 600,000 people died from warfare, famine, and inadequate healthcare. As hostilities peaked, MSF reported a troubling trend of increasing hostilities towards aid workers in the region.

Ayora described Matas as a well-loved professional within the community, with her death causing immense grief for her elderly mother, who lost her only child. Similarly, Tedros had just become a father when he was killed, compelling his widow to name their newborn daughter Maria in honor of Matas. The detailed investigation by MSF included satellite imagery and witness statements that confirmed Ethiopian troops were near the scene during the killings. Eyewitnesses reported overhearing military orders related to the aid workers’ vehicle.

Despite verbal indications from Ethiopian authorities that their findings dissociated government troops from the incident, no written documentation has been provided. MSF continues to advocate against impunity, emphasizing the ongoing risk to humanitarian workers globally amidst rising violence in conflict zones.