Ethiopian government forces seize Tigray capital Mekelle as TPLF withdraws
Summary
Ethiopian government forces and their allies have taken control of Mekelle, the main city in the northern Tigray region, after the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) withdrew. This comes amid renewed fighting following the collapse of a 2022 peace deal, raising concerns about wider conflict in the region.Key Facts
- The TPLF announced it had temporarily left Mekelle to operate elsewhere following advances by government forces.
- Ethiopian federal troops and pro-government militias recaptured Mekelle’s main airport and entered the city center.
- Fighting started again on September 23 after seven armed groups formed an alliance against Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government.
- The 2022 peace deal that ended a previous war between the Tigray region and federal government has now collapsed.
- Ethiopia accuses Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt of supporting the opposition groups; the latter two countries deny this.
- Eritrea cut diplomatic ties with Ethiopia after these accusations.
- The US urged Ethiopia and Eritrea to respect borders, show restraint, and return to peaceful talks.
- The TPLF was once a ruling political coalition but became an armed group after relations with the federal government worsened, leading to war starting in 2020.
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