Ethiopian authorities say they have taken control of three towns in Tigray, the embattled northern region that has seen a resurgence of fighting since August.

 The Government Communication Service in a statement said the towns of Shire in the region’s northwest, and Alamata and Korem in the south have been taken from Tigrayan control.

The three towns were taken without fighting in urban areas, it said, adding that authorities will coordinate with humanitarian groups in the areas that have come under the control of Ethiopian forces.

According the statement, Ethiopian forces had taken maximum care to protect civilians from harm.

Ethiopia is under pressure to begin the peace talks that were set to kick off this month in South Africa, which they were delayed because of logistical issues.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the situation in northern Ethiopia is spiralling out of control. The U.N. and the African Union are urging an immediate cease-fire.

Fighting resumed between Tigray forces and federal troops in August, bringing an end to a cease-fire in place since March that had allowed much-needed aid to enter the region.