The leader of Ethiopia’s Tigray region said MON that his people were ‘ready to die’ defending their homeland, rejecting Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s ultimatum that they surrender within 72 hours.

The federal army said Monday its forces were within 50km of the Tigrayan capital, Mekelle.

More than 500,000 civilians live in the city, according to the UN.

Thousands of Ethiopian refugees continue to stream into Sudan, fleeing fighting in the northern Tigray region.

Almost 40,000 have arrived since the fighting started NOV 4, and the UN has warned 200,000 may seek refuge in the coming days.

Abiy’s forces have been claiming various successes in recent days. Verifying the claims is difficult as communications to Tigray are shut off