ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian National Defense Force on Wednesday afternoon announced the death of former Ethiopian foreign minister, Seyoum Mesfin during a battle in the country's northern Tigray regional state.
Brigadier General Tesfaye Ayalew, Head of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) Deployment Department, said Seyoum Mesfin was killed alongside Asmelash Woldeselassie, former Ethiopia parliament Chief Whip and Abay Tsehaye, former Ethiopia Minister of Federal Affairs during a battle earlier on Wednesday.
Ayalew said five other civilian officials and army officers were captured in the military operation, reported state media outlet Ethiopia News Agency.
Ethiopia's federal government has been undertaking military operations in the country's northernmost Tigray regional state since November 4 against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which used to rule over the region, following the TPLF's apparent attack on the Northern Command of the ENDF. Enditem