The representatives from the Ethiopian government and Tigray officials confirmed the process during a joint press conference in Mekelle.

“Tigray has handed over its heavy weapons as part of its commitment to implementing the Pretoria agreement, and the Monitoring & Verification Team has confirmed it. We hope & expect this will go a long way in expediting the full implementation of the agreement. We hope & expect!” Tigray People’s Liberation Front spokesperson Getachew Reda wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.

The heavy weapons were collected and stored in the town of Agulae by Tigray forces before they were handed over to Ethiopian troops that are stationed in a nearby camp, local sources reported.

On 2 November 2022, the Ethiopian government and Tigrayan leaders signed a peace accord in Pretoria, South Africa, with the African Union as a mediator, and agreed on "orderly, smooth and coordinated disarmament".

The agreement was made effective the next day on 3 November, marking the two-year anniversary of the war. (ILKHA)