Ethiopians celebrate Meskel and call for peace amid fighting

Millions of Ethiopian Christians gathered to celebrate Meskel, a religious holiday commemorating the discovery of the True Cross by Roman empress Helena, despite ongoing conflict in the northern region of Tigray. This year's celebration holds special significance as it marks the end of the rainy season and the beginning of spring. However, the festivities come at a time when fighting between Ethiopian government troops and forces loyal to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front has spilled over into neighboring regions like Amhara and Afar. Kibrom Yohannes, traveling from Denmark for the holiday, had his flight to Tigray canceled due to renewed conflict, leading him to celebrate in the southwestern town of Welkite instead. Worshippers are calling for peace as there are fears that the fighting could draw neighboring Eritrea into the conflict as a proxy actor.