The Ethiopian military has regained control of the historic town of Lalibela from Tigrayan rebels. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) said it had decided to withdraw its fighters from all areas in the Amhara and Afar regions. It added that it took the decision to clear the way for a peaceful resolution to its conflict with the government. The conflict has caused a massive humanitarian crisis, with international mediation efforts having so far failed. It is unclear when the military retook Lalibela, but Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen Hassen visited the town, in Amhara, on Sunday. Lalibela, famous for its rock-hewn churches which date back to the the 12th and 13th Centuries, was designated a Unesco world heritage site in 1978. The town has changed hands several times since August. Its airport has been badly damaged in the fighting. On Saturday, the government said its troops had retaken several other towns as well, including Weldiya. The TPLF has been withdrawing its fighters to its stronghold of Tigray after being forced to abandon its plan to advance on the capital Addis Ababa.(BBC)…[+]