A pro-government armed group in Ethiopia has claimed to be close to taking full control of the conflict-hit Tigray region. The Tigray Peace Forces commander said on social media that Tigray People’s Liberation Front forces had been wiped out.
The claim could not be independently verified. Reuters reported on Friday that Ethiopian government forces were advancing towards Tigray’s capital, Mekelle. The renewed fighting began in September between Ethiopian federal forces and an opposition alliance led by the TPLF. TPLF chairperson Debretsion Gebremichael acknowledged that federal forces had taken some parts of Tigray.
He said Tigrayan forces would launch a counter-attack “in due course”. Pro-government forces have made rapid advances since fighting resumed. The Tigray Peace Forces previously claimed to have captured Alamata, a strategic town south of Mekelle. Reuters reported that diplomatic sources confirmed the town had fallen.
The latest conflict follows the breakdown of a 2022 peace agreement that ended the previous war between federal forces and the TPLF. Seven armed and political groups formed an alliance in September seeking to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government.
Fighting has also spread into neighbouring Amhara and Afar regions. The renewed conflict has raised concerns about wider regional instability. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting the opposition alliance. The three countries deny the allegations.
Ethiopia and Eritrea have also severed diplomatic ties following a sharp deterioration in relations. The African Union has urged Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to exercise maximum restraint and avoid actions that could further escalate tensions.
Meanwhile, humanitarian conditions in Tigray are deteriorating. Communications remain severely disrupted, while residents have reportedly begun fleeing towards Amhara and Afar as fighting approaches populated areas. Aid organisations, including United Nations agencies, are attempting to maintain humanitarian access in areas where security conditions permit.
