What is the red flag with a yellow star and yellow triangle? As protests over the violence in Africa’s Tigray region continue, we explore the flag’s prominence.
This year has seen violence in the Tigray region of Ethiopia by Ethiopian federal government and Eritrean troops. Protests around the world from London, England to Seattle, USA have taken place against the violence.
But what is the flag on display at these protests?
What is the red flag with a yellow star and yellow triangle?
The red flag with both yellow star and yellow triangle is the Tigray flag.
It has been widely used in the global protests over violence in the Tigray region.
Currently, supporters of Tigray are requesting that the flag be introduced as an emoji on Apple smartphones.
Why are the Tigray protests happening?
Conflict between Ethiopia’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), an Ethiopian political party, started back in 2019. It escalated into open war on 4 November 2020.
Vox explained: “Tigrayan defense forces are fighting against the Ethiopian National Defense Force, who have partnered with troops from neighboring Eritrea and other militias within Ethiopia, specifically Amhara forces.”
Tigray is located in the north of Ethiopia, bordering Eritrea.
The war between Eritrea and Ethiopia broke out in 1998 and years of instability followed. A shaky peace deal was reached in 2018, however peace has since disintegrated with the Tigray conflict.
