The United States has strongly condemned a drone strike on vehicles belonging to Catholic Relief Services that were carrying humanitarian aid in Tigray.

In an urgent joint statement, the US Agency for International Development and the Bureau of African Affairs at the State Department said attacks on aid workers and on vehicles carrying life-saving assistance are completely unacceptable.

Washington called on the responsible authorities to carry out a rapid and thorough investigation, to publish the findings, and to take steps to prevent any repetition.

The statement added that humanitarian corridors must remain open so aid can reach people in need without obstruction, and urged all parties to the conflict to lay down their weapons and move quickly to talks.