The Hawzen War is part of a major war in the northern Tigray region of Ethiopia between government forces and Tigrayan fighters that have resulted in killings, rapes and the escape of more than 2 million of the 6 million people in the region. While the government now has more cities, warfare continues in remote towns like Hawzen.
When the two sides fight, ordinary people, especially children, suffer. More and more children are being held by gunfire in Hawzen and other adjoining areas, at least 32 have been admitted to Ayder Hospital in Mekele City for injuries from December to April.
Thirteen people had their legs amputated, according to history.
Haftom Gebru, a 12-year-old boy from Hawzen, was injured in a blast during an Orthodox Easter strike. A shotgun fired at the family home of the couple, who had joined the boy. His 60-year-old father, Gebru Welde Abrha, on seeing the boy’s injured left hand, knew he had to be amputated.
“I’m so sorry I can’t explain,” the man said in the hospital room, as his son looked angrily in the distance. I feel so good. ”
Haftom Gebretsadik, a 17-year-old from Freweini near Hawzen, was also wounded by gunfire that hit his home in March. He silently looked at the stump on the right and shook his head.
“I’m very worried,” he said. “How can I work?”
Some of the abused teens may have saved their legs when they received first aid at nearby hospitals. But such a place with bullets right now – they took it in order, destroyed it and destroyed it.
Eritrean troops have set up camp at Hawzen Primary Hospital, which once boasts equipment ranging from X-rays to machine guns. Now it has been discarded and plundered.
“I’m sorry I’m a Tigrayan,” said Misigna Hagos, a 27-year-old unemployed man.
“This hospital was helping thousands of people.… Now it has collapsed.”
