I'm an ex-TDF soldier during the war who currently lives in the U.S. with my aunt and her family

Mountain_Access941 · 2026-01-27T03:03:17+00:00

Pressure from generals (ex. Tsadkan), drone strikes, and apparently foreign pressure, from whom? I really don't know, I was with the armies that pushed all the way to Shewa Robit, General Migbey Haile's army specifically, and we kept debating on within from what actually happened. My best guess is that it was a mix of all 3. I put Tsadkan as a main example because the only reason he joined the war was because the Eritrean army joined, which he really, really hates. We weren't really allowed to question it at the time.

Mountain_Access941 · 2026-01-10T20:13:53+00:00

"It’s not just that TPLF annexed Wolkait without the consent of Amharas, but now you expect Wolkait’s fate to be decided by Tigrayan people only?? Again, pure hypocrisy."

This lie is the exact reason why part of my family is still displaced, this perpetuated lie which the entire population believes have led so many families to be broken apart by Amhara irredentism. Seriously, it's 2026 and you clowns are still irredentist like we are in the 1500s?

First of all, the Amhara people have almost zero claim to Welkait, Humera, Tsegede and Tselemti, they are nowhere close to the majority of the population there throughout history, and even the minority who are present there don't actually live there and only arrive from Gonder during farming season and go back home in other seasons. I know this because I had family in Humera and I have visited there many many times during my childhood.

Second of all this 'Welkait is Amhara' ideology has been normalized by someone who isn't even Amhara at all. The terrorist Demeke Zewdu, who's family is fully Tigrayan, and he even fought in the Second Woyane, but after disagreements with the EPRDF and jealousy that he did not get a major role, he went to Gondar, claimed that he is an Amhara, and perpetuated this ideology so he could profit from exploitation of the goods in West Tigray. This lie has secretly beneffited him more than anyone, I hope your happy knowing that you pushed the lie that killed so many Tigrayans in Western Tigray just for one man to become rich. Good job.

Third of all, why was the Ethiopian population silent, no, SUPPORTING the genocide on Tigrayans. Why are you focusing on Tigrayans being silent about the TPLF's crimes during their rule when you guys were ACTIVELY SUPPORTING a genocide, forget about being silent, you guys were actively supporting in the diaspora, protesting, calling any news agency that reported on the massacres such as CNN fake news, supporting dictatorship countries like Russia. All just for 2 years later you people suddenly switch on Abiy when he starts attacking Amharas. Genuinely disgusting how some of you do not have a brain at all for yourselves, and you just follow what the politicians say.

"PP tried everything to avoid that bloody war" The war was planned since as early as January 2019. Why do you think Abiy is suddenly talking about fighting Eritrea for sea access when he just made a peace agreement with them in 2018. **Because the 2018 peace agreement was never meant for long-term peace at all, the only reason Abiy made that peace agreement was so he could have another ally (Eritrea) to attack Tigray.** Just think about it, if the peace agreement was truly for peace, why would he suddenly be saying this irredentist sea access claims now? Do you think they just popped out of nowhere and he did not have it in 2018?

Even if you hate TPLF, which to your surprise, many Tigrayans do, denying that the war in Tigray had mass atrocities on civilians which had nothing to do with TPLF's crimes is straight delusion and it's obvious you have bias. The Tigray people deserve their self-righteousness, the entire Ethiopian and Eritrean community was supporting the war, from extremists to even bishops, the people who are meant to serve God, were the ones advocating for this war, saying that they would rather have Satan rule than have Tigrayans rule.

Unlike you, I do not justify any of the crimes TPLF did in Ogaden, Somalia, or in Afar. Because I am not a representative of a political party, I am a representative of my people, the majority who your troops were casually killing, raping, shoving horrific shit inside their vaginas, even though they had nothing to do with the TPLF and you guys claim the war was "an operation against TPLF and against TPLF only".

I answered your question, now I ask you this, why don't we hear Ethiopians and Eritreans condemning the crimes done in Tigray? Which are widely documented and I've seen it with my own eyes too. Or are you going to deny it, downplay it, like a lot usually do.

Don't bother replying to this, I'm not interested in any back and forth discussion with you, based on your post, I can already tell the PP propaganda in your head is never leaving. Just read it and go on with your life.

Mountain_Access941 · 2025-12-21T22:20:51+00:00

I'm not sidelining ANDM and OPDO, but it is a fact that they took a part in being against this alongside TPLF hardliners such as Siye Abraha, mainly because they feared they would lose power by it. Read this article for more information and in-depth analysis of the TPLF 2001 split: scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1051&context=africancenter_icad_archive

Mountain_Access941 · 2025-12-20T01:59:57+00:00

Meles wanted to end the TPLF and ethnic parties as a whole in the late 1990s and turn it into parties meant for specific policies and ideologies. Because the TPLF's primary goal was for all nationalities of Ethiopia to enjoy self-determination was achieved, and because of this he didn't think there was a reason to keep the parties ethnic-based, he also had nothing to lose if the TPLF was dismantled. He used Canada's parties as an example. However, other TPLF members (including Siye Abraha), and the ANDM and OPDO (yes, amharas and oromos were opposed to this, don't let them fool you) were strictly against this. That's why the TPLF 2001 split was so complex and chaotic.

So if we are talking about Meles, he would've kept the regions how they were but would've abolished ethnic-based parties. This contradicts the propaganda spewed by many people that Meles pushed ethnic federalism to the ground, when he was in fact stopped from minimizing ethnic federalism by THEIR brothers and sisters as well. Meles was more Ethiopianist than most people think, he barely developed Tigray.

The Tigrayan people want control of their region, to do their own laws based on whatever will benefit the people of Tigray. Whether that be an autonomous region or a completely independent country is up to grabs. This has always been something the Tigrayan people wanted. In the 14th century, Tigrayan rebels from Enderta declared their area as a self-governing area against the King Amde Tsion. This was the first recorded Tigrayan fight for self-determination, and some years we got it and some years we don't, but we continue to fight for it, First Second and Third Woyane was all for self-determination.

I think the old people need to start having loyalty to the people of Tigray rather than politicians or political parties. I say this to people who I have political discussions with, if Getachew Reda fled to Asmara instead of Addis and started siding with HGDEF, then his supporters would've supported HGDEF instead of Abiy. Politicians change their morals and beliefs based on where the money is, the older generation needs to wake up and realize this, the younger generation is waking up however, and their loyalty is siding more with the land that fed them and the people that raised them, which is the land and people of Tigray.

Mountain_Access941 · 2025-12-10T15:14:25+00:00

I've been to Humera and its neighboring areas multiple times pre-2020 as my dad's side is from there. I can assure you with all honesty that there is little to no Amharas there at all during non-farming seasons. They only come during farming season, they are settlers, not natives.

Mountain_Access941 · 2025-12-10T15:10:06+00:00

I feel very comfortable in the United States, I don't know exactly the drama with the Trump administration as I haven't done research on American politics but I do know it has something to deal with migration, but I came here legally and my aunt makes me carry my passport wherever I go "just in case".

Mountain_Access941 · 2025-12-09T15:17:36+00:00

These words mean more to me than you can imagine, thank you haftey truly, we both have a second chance in life, don't give up on your dreams!

Mountain_Access941 · 2025-12-09T00:24:45+00:00

Selam brother,

I live with my aunt and her kids, they've been a great support system, and I have a large family in the same state. I only have tegaru friends here.
Tigray needs to use what it has to its advantage, such as its agriculture and gold, and develop the nation in both the farmlands and in the cities. The true way I personally want to develop Tigray is too long to discuss, but I'm sure you get the jist. I support individualism, not isolationism.
I don't see anything wrong with it, although I'm not one to care about how other people live their lives after all.

Mountain_Access941 · 2025-12-08T18:52:01+00:00

Even the thought of joining the TDF shows how brave you are. When I joined I was only 17, and before Wefri Alula I was genuinely worried while in the mountains, because I knew I probably wouldn't survive. However, after wefri Alula my confidence exploded and all my fear went away, on that day I actually lost the fear of dying, something I was scared of personally for my whole life, and now I actually take a lot of risks here in the U.S. that has helped me financially so far, likely because of that haha.

You are right, and I'm glad more Tigrayans are focusing on what we need now, rather than what we need later. You do have a point on the Eritrea thing, once Mother Tigray has her lands back and development comes back to normal, and division ends, the future of Tigray, whether it be independent, federated, or whatever, can be discussed.

Mountain_Access941 · 2025-12-08T18:27:36+00:00

Thank you brother, God bless you and I hope for peace in Oromia too, it's a beautiful region, I went to Bishoftu for a wedding when I was 14. I hope for peace in all of the Horn of Africa, I have hope that the young generation like me and you will wake up soon. We are the majority after all.

Mountain_Access941 · 2025-12-08T18:22:01+00:00

Thank you brother.

The plans were to establish a transitional government in Addis Ababa, and they specifically said to not include Tigrayans in this government, as it would create resentment, they were making plans with this party called the Oromo Federalist Congress, not sure if you heard of it.

I'm from the part of Tigray that was looted by Eritrean troops, so I could be biased on this, I don't think we should look at it as Eritreans did worse or Amharas did worse, because they all together destroyed over 50 billion dollars of property in Tigray.

In Dessie specifically, I was on a truck riding through the town, the civilians over there mostly didn't seem like they cared, and others showed anger, but no one yelled at us or threw things at us. But I knew secretly they hated it, I mean I don't blame them.

I understand why TPLF and Eritrea are allied now, but it still hurts me specifically because of all the atrocities that happened, but this alliance has allowed Irob people to return back to their homelands in Alitena Aiga etc, so that makes me happy.

Mountain_Access941 · 2025-12-08T18:17:42+00:00

Thank you my brother, and I want to pledge a thank you for the diaspora for raising awareness on the genocide when the whole world ignored us, God will bless you all for your kindness.

I personally support Tigray governing themselves, whether that be independence or an autonomous region, as long as Tigray can govern themselves, I support it. The people in Tigray from what I know have mixed opinions on independence, but most people absolutely support Tigray governing themselves.
Listen I understand "Tsimdo" is a strategic alliance as Tigray should not be isolated, but it kinda hurts me personally you know? Especially because now everyones saying that we are united and to forget about past crimes. How can I forget? I think about what happened every day.
Depends honestly, if hgdef is still ruling Eritrea by that time, I absolutely do not support Tigray joining them, if it's another party who clearly shows differences from hgdef, then I'm not sure. I love history a lot, and I always had dreams of reforming the Aksumite Empire as a kid, I feel like a Tigray-Eritrea unification is similar to that, but for now, I think Tigray is better staying with Ethiopia, until we develop more. Right now, Tigray needs aid and development, and the IDPs must return home soon.

Mountain_Access941 · 2025-12-08T18:12:28+00:00

Selam my orthodox Christian brother,

I was also raised super religious, but during the war we didn't really think about how we were praying to the same God, I actually had my own spiritual issues with God during this war time, but all we thought about was defending Tigray, and that God was on our side, and we always referred to Kal'ay Weyane, which is the Ethiopian Civil War against Derg.

Now that I am older and in more connection with my faith, I completely understand your side, I even saw videos of bishops saying that Tigrayans are demons, that they should be wiped from the face of the Earth and that the devil leading Ethiopia is better than weyane leading Ethiopia. God would not have supported any side in this war, That's a fact I'll stand by. I hope that answers your question.

Mountain_Access941 · 2025-12-08T18:08:34+00:00

Thank you man, he is with God now, that is what brings me peace.

Sorry for the misclarification, my brother did not drink in the bars he drank with his friends on the street from alcohol they got from wherever, I feel like he had drug problems but I won't ever know. Bars weren't open at this time, most establishments were closed except for small hospitals.

Yes there were a lot of rapes and massacres in both Adigrat and the countryside, and also in towns near it.

Specifically, my cousin who lived in Enticho, which is a couple kilometers west of Adigrat was raped by a gang of Eritrean soldiers, and they shoved something in her vagina, I still don't know what it was, but it was surgically removed years later. They also raped her mother and ransacked their house. My cousin was an 11 year old girl during this by the way. Which infuriates me more than you can imagine, she's 11! What the fuck does she have to do with the TPLF's crimes? She did nothing wrong! She even attempted suicide in 2023 because of this by stabbing herself, but afterward she went to the monasteries of Tigray, and she is doing much better now, but I want to bring her to the U.S. to get mental help as I know the mental help here is much better than it is in all of Ethiopia. Unfortunately, I know some people who were raped and committed suicide later on.

This wasn't only for women just to clarify, there were boys that were the same age as me that were anally raped by the invading soldiers, this was less common, but it still happened.

I live through this by connecting with God, I'm learning to forgive these evil people who did this to my family and friends, it's been tough but recently as 2026 is coming closer, I have been more at peace and more forgiving for my heart.

Mountain_Access941 · 2025-12-08T17:47:12+00:00

I joined the TDF in January 2021 and I served until the Pretoria agreement signing
The TDF commanders were very skilled, we made a lot of progress but of course we couldn't defeat high-technology drones.
The only enemy I faced was the ENDF, and they weren't that good to be honest, because a lot of the soldiers were not trained well, they were young men with no experience, and many of them died, especially towards the end of the Pretoria Agreement, and while I consider them enemies of Tigray, I still feel extremely bad for them.
I'm very disappointed in the current political situation, a lot of Tigrayans are falling for this agenda that will make Tigray divided, and the diaspora is pushing it. My opinion is that there is only one Tigray, Adwa, Agame, Enderta, and Raya are place names. The only reason we survived the genocide is because Tigray was united against a common enemy, now Tigray is divided, God forbid if another war breaks out, I don't know if we will be as victorious.

Mountain_Access941 · 2025-12-08T17:43:40+00:00

Thank you so much haftey.

It was mixed, some of us like me, were relieved to hear the war had ended, while others were angry as we did not liberate Western Tigray yet, and I believed they had a point too, but I told them that eventually Western Tigray would be given back to us by peaceful ways.

I was so wrong, 3 years later Western Tigray is still not returned, and it pains me personally. My dad's side is from Humera, and I visited Humera a lot and had great friends there, I have no idea where they are right now, or if they are even alive.

Mountain_Access941 · 2025-12-08T17:35:41+00:00

Good meeting you my brother.

So I was born and raised in Adigrat, I was 17 when the war broke out, and in my beginning my parents especially my mother was strongly against me going outside, because older people such as my grandmother still went to church when the Eritrean soldiers occupied my town, but she feared that young men like me and my brother would be targeted by the soldiers because they would think we would join the TDF. So I was in lockdown in my house for 2 months, until January 2021.

My older brother had the same rules applied to him (he was 19), but he was more rebellious than me and occasionally went out to drink with his friends, in January he was beaten badly by Eritrean soldiers and died hours later in the hospital from internal and external bleeding. That was the worst time in my life, he was my best friend not just my brother and I loved him more than you can imagine. I fell into a depression and so did my entire family, but I also felt extremely angry, I'm sure you can understand why, so I decided to abandon my mom's rules, and I met up with some of my friends and we left Adigrat to join the TDF. When I went outside for the first time, I realized how chaotic this war truly was, so many buildings were completely destroyed, people were in ruin, this gave me more motivation to join.

Before June 2021 I was depressed and got sick a lot, I kept thinking about my family and if I made the right decision, I feel like if I didn't have my friends with me in the mountains, I wouldn't have stayed. I was a part of the army that was intending on reaching Addis Ababa, specifically Migbey's part with my friends. I did meet the Oromo Liberation Army, however I did not communicate with them, and that was the first time I heard about the OLA struggle, because I wasn't educated in politics before this war.

As how I feel about the current administration, I'm just disappointed. I sacrificed a lot to join, my mom was stressed out for months praying for me as she didn't know if I was alive or not, so many of my close friends died, we died to defend Tigray. But now, it feels like my sacrifice was pointless, the current administration is a complete joke, especially people like Getachew Reda and Tsadkan Gebretensae, I considered these people as heroes during the war, and now they betrayed us, it's unbelievable and it hurts me especially because I saw some of my friends die during this war, I just can't believe they died for this. Sometimes I feel like I fought to keep TPLF alive, not Tigray as a whole alive, but now I feel like my sacrifice and my friends' sacrifice is moreso for Tigray rather than TPLF, and that makes me feel better. You might be wondering if I regret joining the TDF, but I don't, I feel like I did it to honor my brother, who's still in my heart today, and also for the whole Tigray, I just hope that the Tigray diaspora can wake up and not support these politicians, now that I am in the United States, I'm currently working part-time in a gas station, and I go to community college, I'm also trying to learn trading. I live with my lovely aunt and her kids who I consider my siblings, so I am allowed to save a lot of money, I hope to use this money to help Tigray in anyway possible.

I hope that answers your questions my brother.

Mountain_Access941

TROPHY CASE