Ethiopia said it had captured or killed most commanders of a rebellious northern force, while Tigray's fugitive local leader countered today that civilians were protesting against looting by occupying soldiers.
Neither side gave proof for their assertions about the month-long war in the mountainous region bordering Eritrea, where phone communications have been down and access severely restricted both for media and aid workers.
A senior European official chided the Ethiopian government over an agreement to allow access for humanitarian aid to Tigray, saying it only covered federal-controlled areas and had onerous bureaucratic requirements.
"There may be malnourished children on the other side also," EU crisis commissioner Janez Lenarcic told reporters in Ethiopia. The government did not immediately respond to his comments.
Fighting between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's federal army and forces loyal to the region's former ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), erupted on 4 November.
Thousands of people are believed to have died, while more than 46,000 refugees have crossed to neighbouring Sudan.
TPLF leaders, who enjoy strong popular support in Tigray, appear to have fled to surrounding mountains and say they have begun a guerrilla-style resistance.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs has expressed "grave concern" regarding the conflict in Tigray, and today announced €2.4m to aid the humanitarian response to the crisis.
Simon Coveney today called for all parties involved to make every effort to protect civilians and allow humanitarian access.
"I am engaging with African and other international actors in this regard, including in support of the efforts of the African Union," the minister said.
"I am particularly perturbed by the impact of the conflict on the people of the region, with tens of thousands displaced and many more going hungry and at risk."
Relief agencies are extremely worried about lack of food,fuel, medicines and even body bags in Tigray, with convoys on standby to take aid in.
The United Arab Emirates flew a cargo of supplies, including medicines, into the capital Addis Ababa, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.
The United Nations sounded the alarm about fighting and deaths - including of aid workers, sources told Reuters - around camps for Eritrean refugees.
Ethiopia's government has said it will protect civilians and ensure their needs are met.
Mulu Nega, appointed by Abiy as chief executive of a new Provisional Administration of Tigray, said supplies were reaching parts of west Tigray under its control.
"Our priority in the region now is to restore peace," the 52-year-old former academic told state-run EBC.
