 Tigray and rebels say they have captured the strategic northern Ethiopian town of Kombolcha. The claim has been denied by the government, which says federal forces will mount in a fierce battle for the town and the city of Desi. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was alarmed by reports the rebellious forces had taken over the two key towns. If confirmed, the capture of Kombolcha on Sunday, a day after the rebels' claimed control of Desi, would reflect a rapid advance by the Tigray and People's Liberation Front, the TPLF, in the nearly year-long war.