Tigray forces seize Mekelle airport as tensions rise

Tensions are escalating in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region after Tigrayan forces reportedly seized control of Mekelle’s main airport from federal police, raising fears of renewed large-scale conflict. Local residents told the BBC that the takeover occurred overnight.

Ethiopian Airlines Suspends Flights

Ethiopian Airlines has suspended flights to Mekelle, Axum and Shire because of what it described as the “current situation” in Tigray. The suspension has disrupted air links between the region and the rest of Ethiopia as fighting and political tensions intensify.

Fighting Spreads Beyond Mekelle

The airport seizure comes amid reports of renewed clashes between Tigrayan and federal forces. Fighting has also been reported in parts of neighbouring Afar, with humanitarian sources warning that the violence could expand further.

Deadly Strike in Alamata

The latest escalation follows reported drone strikes in Tigray. Regional authorities said at least 14 people were killed and 22 injured in a strike on the southern town of Alamata on Tuesday. The town’s mayor accused federal forces of targeting schools, but those allegations have not been independently verified.

Federal Government Yet to Comment

Ethiopia’s federal government has not publicly confirmed responsibility for the reported Alamata strike. Tigrayan authorities, meanwhile, have accused Addis Ababa of attacking the region and disrupting critical infrastructure. The conflicting claims have added to uncertainty over the latest violence.

TPLF Forms Armed Alliance

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front has also announced an alliance with six other armed groups seeking to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government. The coalition includes groups from different parts of Ethiopia and has declared opposition to the federal government.

Peace Deal Under Pressure

The developments threaten the fragile peace established by the November 2022 Pretoria Agreement, which ended the two-year Tigray war. Both the federal government and TPLF have accused each other of failing to fully implement parts of the agreement.

Tigray War Left Heavy Death Toll

The 2020–2022 conflict was among Ethiopia’s deadliest modern conflicts. An African Union estimate put the death toll at around 600,000, while large numbers of people were displaced and the region suffered severe humanitarian consequences.

Concerns Grow Over Renewed War

The latest clashes, airport takeover and reported strikes have renewed fears that Tigray could slide back into a broader conflict. The African Union has called for restraint and immediate de-escalation, warning that renewed fighting could undermine the gains made under the 2022 peace agreement.

Regional Stability at Risk

The renewed tensions come as Ethiopia faces other armed conflicts and instability in parts of the country. The situation in Tigray could therefore have wider consequences for security and humanitarian conditions across the Horn of Africa.