France, Nov. 24 -- Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reiterated his ultimatum to forces in Tigray to surrender or be attacked by a tank battalion that is in position outside of the regional capital Mekele, as international groups have continued to call for a protecting civilians.

The 72-hour ultimatum ends on Wednesday, has not deterred the Tigrayan forces, who have claimed they destroyed an army division. Meanwhile, Addis Ababa says that the regional fighters, who they deem are criminals on the run, are ready to surrender.

There is a still a near-total information blackout in the heavily-armed northern Tigray region, where a war began three weeks ago.

Reports coming out of the country cannot always be verified. According to a stateme...