The US has demanded the release of thousands of ethnic Tigrayans who are said to be “detained arbitrarily” in Ethiopia, as well as foreign monitors’ access.

It comes after Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch released a joint report accusing Amhara forces of carrying out “ethnic cleansing” against ethnic Tigrayans in contested areas they have taken control of since the civil conflict began seventeen months ago.

Unlawful killings, widespread detentions, and forcible expulsions are among the allegations. The two human rights organisations also claimed that the federal government sanctioned or participated in the alleged atrocities.

The United States expressed “grave concern” over “ethnically motivated atrocities” against Tigrayans in Ethiopia’s Amhara region on Friday.

Ethiopia has called the humanitarian report “unhelpful” but pledged to “examine” the allegations.

The US praised a humanitarian cease-fire reached between government and Tigrayan forces last month and urged warring parties to maintain the cease-fire and seek a negotiated settlement to the conflict.

While active violence has diminished since the cease-fire, the two groups have continued to trade accusations regarding the aid blockage in Tigray, where millions of people are in desperate need.

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