MSF Report Alleges Execution of Humanitarian Workers by Ethiopian Army in Tigray Conflict

Fri Oct 24 2025 11:52:49 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

**MSF Report Alleges Execution of Humanitarian Workers by Ethiopian Army in Tigray Conflict**

A shocking report reveals that three aid workers were allegedly executed during a humanitarian mission, implicating Ethiopian troops in the violent act.

**An investigation by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has provided new insights into the tragic deaths of its staff amid the Tigray conflict, raising serious concerns regarding the safety of humanitarian efforts in Ethiopia.**

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has released a troubling report detailing the alleged execution of three of its aid workers in Ethiopia's Tigray region amidst the ongoing conflict. This investigation concludes that Ethiopian troops were responsible for the killings, which occurred four years ago, contradicting the government's previous statements on the matter.

The deceased include María Hernández Matas, a Spanish national, along with Ethiopian nationals Yohannes Halefom Reda and Tedros Gebremariam, who were shot on June 24, 2021, while on a humanitarian mission to evaluate medical needs in central Tigray. Raquel Ayora, MSF Spain's general director, emphasized the deliberate nature of the killings, stating they "were executed" and shot at close range despite being clearly identifiable as humanitarian workers, as their vehicle displayed MSF flags and logos. "They knew that they were killing humanitarian aid workers," she affirmed.

This grim incident occurred during a period of heightened violence in Tigray, where Ethiopian and Eritrean forces were reportedly increasingly hostile towards aid personnel. MSF had sought a credible account from the Ethiopian government, engaging in 20 meetings over the past four years with no satisfactory explanation provided.

Research indicates that the Tigray conflict, which erupted over a power struggle between regional and federal governments, has led to extensive suffering, with estimates of approximately 600,000 deaths due to combat, starvation, and lack of medical care. Testimonies from both eyewitnesses and satellite imagery suggest the involvement of Ethiopian troops in the killings, although MSF notes that the specifics of their engagement need further clarification.

The impact of the deaths has been deeply felt within the community and among family members. Ayora remarked on the profound loss suffered by María Hernández Matas's mother, who mourns her only child, while Tedros's widow named their baby girl Maria in honor of his deceased colleague.

As the Tigray conflict continues to leave its mark, the findings from MSF's report underscore the crucial need for accountability and protection for humanitarian efforts in the region.