Ethiopian government forces and allied fighters have regained control of Mekelle, the capital of the northern Tigray region, marking a major setback for the opposition alliance led by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
The TPLF confirmed that its forces had withdrawn from Mekelle and said the regional administration would temporarily operate from another location. Fighters from the government-aligned Tigray Peace Force entered the city centre, followed by Ethiopian federal troops, according to Reuters.
Government forces had earlier recaptured Alula Aba Nega Airport, a strategically important facility near Mekelle that opposition fighters seized during their offensive beginning on September 23.
The renewed fighting represents the most serious escalation in Tigray since the devastating 2020–2022 war, which ended with the Pretoria peace agreement. Residents have reported looting and gunfire during the withdrawal, while disrupted communications and transport have complicated efforts to assess conditions on the ground.
The conflict is also raising fears of a broader regional confrontation. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting forces opposed to the federal government; all three countries have denied the allegations. Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have deteriorated sharply, adding to concerns about further instability across the Horn of Africa.
News as Reported.
