Aftermath Of War In Amhara Region's Historical Wollo Province

MERSA, ETHIOPIA - JANUARY 12: A view of a ransacked classroom for the physically challenged at the Mersa Elementary School in North Wollo on January 12, 2022 in Mersa, Ethiopia. Mersa is one of dozens of towns and cities that line the A2 road that stretches from Addis Ababa to Mekelle. In July of 2021 the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) invaded the Amhara and Afar regions after the Ethiopian Government called for a unilateral cease-fire after 8 months of war. As the TPLF invaded the regions, they are accused of committing numerous atrocities along with large scale looting and destruction of resources in particular in the Amhara region. Schools, hospitals, banks and local government infrastructure were principal targets of the TPLF. During the TPLF occupation of Mersa, the Mersa Elementary School served as a make-shift camp for TPLF fighters. During the 5 month occupation, the school was virtually destroyed. Blackboards were used as beds while the schools brand new library stocked with books donated largely by US based alumni was completely trashed. The school had any computers or other electronics removed and shipped back to Tigray. (Photo by J. Countess/Getty Images)