What if I told you that in a conflict, the greatest horrors often go unreported, hidden behind the headlines? The survivors of the Tigray war in Ethiopia are bravely revealing the chilling realities of systematic violence that unfolded against civilians, detailing unimaginable acts of brutality that occurred on both sides of the conflict.

The heart-wrenching accounts shared by survivors paint a grotesque picture of the atrocities committed during and after the fighting. Tseday, a mother of two, recounted her harrowing experience to Le Monde, describing how she was brutally assaulted by soldiers of the federal army as her family fled into exile following the ceasefire. 'They raped me first, then my two-year-old daughter. After that, they killed my husband and cut up his body in front of us. They forced us to watch,' she said, her words a testament to the horrors that have scarred countless lives.

Another survivor, 17-year-old Nigist, shared her own nightmare, recalling how armed men invaded her village in the Kafta Humera area. 'They told us to undress, but I resisted,' she stated. Yet, resistance came at a grave cost. She was viciously beaten, her clothes torn apart, and she was raped by several men before losing consciousness.

As the world watches in disbelief, author Birhan Gebrekristos has been documenting these testimonies, revealing the depths of cruelty that include horrific torture methods, such as inserting sharp objects into women's bodies. In one disturbing case, Eritrean soldiers allegedly forced a pregnant woman into an abortion by stabbing her womb, leading to her death from a subsequent infection.

According to Tigrayan regional authorities, nearly 120,000 women and girls became victims of sexual violence during this conflict—a staggering statistic that underscores the magnitude of the crisis. It all began in 2020 when the Tigray regional government defied the federal government’s authority, igniting a war that would spiral into chaos and devastation.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed dispatched troops to Tigray, claiming an attack by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) warranted military intervention. While the TPLF denied such accusations, the conflict led to a media blackout, making it nearly impossible to verify the numerous claims of atrocities that emerged.

In February 2021, Amnesty International documented harrowing accounts of Eritrean forces killing hundreds of civilians in the city of Axum. Reports began to circulate of systematic rape, ethnic cleansing, and mass atrocities committed not only by Eritrean soldiers but also by Ethiopian forces and TPLF fighters. The situation reached a boiling point when a regional official accused Eritrean troops of holding Tigrayan women as sex slaves—an allegation denied vehemently by Eritrea.

Though a formal peace agreement was reached in November 2022, the aftermath of the war has left a lasting impact. Survivors like Nigist continue to face challenges long after the ceasefire, seeking refuge and care at healing centers. Unfortunately, many victims report receiving little to no support from authorities in both Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Meseret Hadush, founder of the Hiwyet Charity Association, revealed that her organization has provided essential care to nearly six thousand mothers since the conflict, despite lacking governmental support. 'The end of the war has not ended sexual violence,’ she stated, emphasizing the ongoing hardships faced by survivors amid widespread unemployment and a struggling economy.

These stories expose the social stigma surrounding victims of sexual violence, often forcing them into silence to protect family honor. Tseday, having lost her husband and endured unspeakable trauma, emphasizes that for survivors, the journey to healing is profoundly hindered by societal attitudes and the lingering threat of violence.

The international community must not turn a blind eye to these atrocities. As we hear the voices of the survivors, we are reminded that the scars of conflict endure long after the fighting stops, and the road to recovery is paved with the courage and resilience of those who dare to tell their stories.