ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - The leader of the rebellious Tigrayan forces told Reuters in a text message that they will continue fighting the Ethiopian government, hours after the government declared military operations in Tigray complete.


"Their brutality can only add (to) our resolve to fight these invaders to the last," said Debretsion Gebremichael in a message. Asked by Reuters in a text message if that meant his forces will continue fighting, he replied: “Certainly. This is about defending our right to self determination.”


There was no immediate response to this from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government. Abiy said earlier that police were searching for the leaders of the Tigray People's Liberation Front and they would be apprehended and brought to justice.