The UN and Ethiopia have agreed to allow aid into the country's conflict-torn Tigray region, UN officials say.

(MSN.com)

UN spokesman Saviano Abreu said an assessment mission would begin later on Wednesday. There has been no word so far from the Ethiopian government.

Food and medicines are said to be running out for millions of people.

Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed in the month-long fighting between the federal army and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

(San Francisco Chronicle)

The Ethiopian government said the regional capital Mekelle was seized over the weekend, but TPLF soldiers said they were still fighting near the city.

The conflict has displaced tens of thousands of people, and sent a wave of refugees fleeing into Sudan.

In a separate development, the Ethiopian authorities said one of the most senior TPLF figures had surrendered. Keriya Ibrahim is the former speaker of the regional parliament.

The TPLF has not publicly commented on the issue.

(Lupni.com/BBC)