Ethiopia's Tigray forces say they released 1,000 captured soldiers
OLBIA, Italy July 17 (Reuters) - Forces in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region have released around 1,000 government soldiers captured during recent fighting, the head of its ruling party said, as both sides prepared for a showdown over contested land in the west of the region.
Debretsion Gebremichael, leader of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), told Reuters by satellite phone late on Friday that they have released 1,000 low-ranking soldiers.
"More than 5,000 (soldiers) are still with us, and we will keep the senior officers who will face trial," he said.