- The Ethiopian military did not target civilians in an air strike on a market, says a spokesperson.
- Colonel Getnet Adane said the attack targeted rebels "in civilian clothes".
- The Tigray region has been riven by conflict.
An attack on a busy market in Ethiopia's war-torn Tigray region, that left dozens dead or wounded this week, was targeting rebel fighters, Ethiopia's military spokesperson told AFP on Thursday.
"We do not accept that this operation targeted civilians," said Colonel Getnet Adane, who admitted his forces carried out the operation but said it targeted rebel fighters "in civilian clothes".
"The operation was conducted on June 22 against the remnants of the TPLF," Getnet said, referring to the renegade former regional leadership.
"An operation carried out by the Ethiopian National Defence Force has dismantled that force."
Getnet said rebel fighters dressed in civilian clothes had gathered in Togoga town to celebrate "Martyr Day" when they were attacked.
"It is a clear fact that both the remnants of the TPLF and its militia dress in civilian clothes," he said.
Widespread damage and casualties
He also denied targeting a market, adding that while it was market day on Tuesday, "in Ethiopia, people go to the markets in the morning, and by the afternoon they are usually deserted."
Witnesses and survivors of the air strike, arriving at a hospital in the regional capital Mekele, described explosions striking the market at around 13:00, causing widespread damage and casualties, with children among the wounded.
The UN has called for an urgent investigation into the strike, which has killed and wounded an as-yet undetermined number of people.
The attack came as vote counting was underway following Monday's national elections in Ethiopia. However, the conflict in Tigray meant no vote was held there.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops to Tigray in November to oust the dissident regional leadership, promising a swift victory.
But nearly eight months later, fighting continues triggering a humanitarian crisis with the UN warning 350 000 people are on the brink of famine.
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