Ethiopia declares state of emergency as Tigrayan forces gain ground

FILE PHOTO: Police officers walk amongst civilians at the Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia February 21, 2018. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri/File Photo

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopia declared a six-month state of emergency on Tuesday after forces from the northern region of Tigray said they were gaining territory and considering marching on the capital Addis Ababa.

The announcement came two days after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed urged citizens to take up arms to defend themselves against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).