// BBC WORLD NEWS — MONDO
Ethiopia fighting escalates in Tigray killing 52 civilians, medic tells the BBC
Tanks and armoured vehicles were filmed passing through Alamata after days of clashes
At least 52 civilians have been killed during three days of heavy fighting around Alamata in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, hospital sources have told the BBC.
It appears government troops have taken control of the town from regional fighters and intend to push north towards Mekelle, the region's main city. Social media clips show army tanks on Alamata's streets.
Clashes broke out last week after months of tension between the government and the party that controls Tigray, with both accusing each other of violating a 2022 deal that ended a two-year civil war.
Fighting has also affected neighbouring regions with 33 tourists stranded for the last week in Lalibela, a Unesco world heritage site.
"We have heard fighting, gunfire and artillery cannons firing throughout the week," a British tourist, who asked not to be named, told the BBC's Newsday programme about clashes near Lalibela in the Amhara region.
He said there was a large military presence in Lalibela, famous for being home to 13th Century churches hewn from rock and a holy site for millions of Orthodox Christians.
Most visitors to the tourist hub had been unable to leave since the airport closed to commercial flights last Wednesday, though he said 14 Israeli tourists had been evacuated by military helicopter on Monday.
The fighting around Lalibela has involved the army and an Amhara militia that has allied with Tigrayan fighters.
Earlier in September, they joined forces with other Ethiopian armed movements to form a seven-member alliance with the stated intention of removing the government in the capital, Addis Ababa.