World Heritage Site
15 Aug 2021
Ethiopia's Tigrayan rebels have seized the UNESCO World Heritage site Lalibela. The town, located in the northern Amhara region, is known for its rock-hewn churches dating from the 12th century. Some residents claimed fighters from the TPLF, Tigray's ruling party, entered Lalibela without a fight on Thursday, as security forces withdrew ahead of their advance. The United States has urged the TPLF to protect the historic site.