Ethiopian forces retake Tigray capital Mekelle

Federal forces take control
Ethiopian federal forces and allied fighters have regained control of Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region, after Tigray People’s Liberation Front forces withdrew from the city. The development marks a major shift in the renewed conflict that began on September 23.

TPLF forces withdraw
The TPLF had seized Mekelle and its main airport during the early stages of the renewed fighting. Federal troops and allied forces then launched a counter-offensive, retaking the airport before advancing into the city. The TPLF later confirmed that its forces had withdrawn from Mekelle.

Troops patrol Mekelle
Federal troops were reported to be patrolling the streets and occupying key government institutions after entering the city. Communications were also restored in parts of Mekelle following more than a week of disruption, although the security situation remained uncertain.

Shops remain closed
Many businesses remained shut as residents assessed the situation. Some shop owners had moved their goods to safer locations because of fears of looting and vandalism during the fighting and the TPLF withdrawal.

Residents fear prolonged conflict
Some Mekelle residents said the reduction in fighting had brought temporary relief but expressed concern that the conflict could continue. The renewed violence has raised fears of further displacement and a return to the large-scale humanitarian crisis seen during the previous Tigray war.

Conflict began in September
The latest fighting broke out on September 23 between federal forces and an opposition alliance led by the TPLF. It is the most serious escalation in northern Ethiopia since the 2020-2022 war, which ended with the Pretoria peace agreement.

Regional tensions increase
The conflict has also increased tensions between Ethiopia and neighbouring countries. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting the TPLF-led opposition alliance, but all three countries have denied the allegations.

Ethiopia and Eritrea cut ties
Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have deteriorated sharply. Ethiopia closed its embassy in Asmara and expelled Eritrean diplomats, after which Eritrea severed diplomatic relations with Ethiopia. The diplomatic crisis has added to concerns that the fighting could spread beyond Tigray.

Regional leaders meet in Egypt
As Ethiopian forces took control of Mekelle, the leaders of Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan met in New Alamein, Egypt. Their discussions focused on regional security and the possibility of the Ethiopian conflict developing into a wider crisis.

Call for peaceful solutions
The four leaders called for regional disputes to be resolved through peaceful means and stressed respect for international law and non-interference in the internal affairs of states. They also called for cooperation over cross-border issues and shared natural resources.

Nile dispute adds tension
Egypt and Ethiopia remain involved in a long-running dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Cairo has raised concerns about the project’s impact on downstream water supplies, while Ethiopia maintains that the dam is important to its economic development.

Fears of another major war
The renewed fighting has revived memories of the 2020-2022 Tigray war, which killed hundreds of thousands of people and caused widespread humanitarian suffering. The latest developments have prompted calls from international and regional actors for restraint and dialogue.

TPLF faces major setback
The loss of Mekelle represents a significant setback for the TPLF after its forces had regained control of parts of Tigray earlier in the latest conflict. However, the withdrawal does not necessarily signal an end to the fighting, with the situation across the region remaining fluid.