ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Rebels in north Ethiopia said on Saturday that nine people had died among heavy civilian casualties during an assault by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s federal troops on the town of Adigrat. Reuters could not verify their statement on Friday’s events in Adigrat, 116 km (72 miles) north of regional capital Mekelle. The government and military could not immediately be reached for comment, but have previously denied targeting civilians.