 Tales of civilians suffering are leading Ethiopian civilians to take up arms against rebels in Tigray, responding to a mobilization called by Prime Minister Abi Ahmed. Some new recruits say they are eager to get to the front. Early in the month of August, Prime Minister Abi Ahmed called on all able-bodied Ethiopians to join the armed forces as the nine-month conflict in Tigray has spread in recent weeks to two neighboring regions in the north of the country.