Ethiopian federal forces have taken over the capital of the Tigray region after the Tigrayan forces vacated the city. The development came after days of renewed fighting between federal government troops and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) began on September 23.
The violence sparked fears that Ethiopia will witness yet another civil war following the TPLF’s withdrawal from the city. According to a local journalist, federal government soldiers were seen in Mekelle, the capital city of Tigray Region, on Sunday, taking over key institutions.
The communication lines were also re-established after being cut off for over a week. A pro-government militia commander told AFP that federal government forces have entered the city and are gaining ground. Markets were closed as people feared the next steps after the TPLF withdrew its forces from the city.
Some residents said they have set up local security systems in the wake of the police’s absence. A resident said the lull in the violence is welcome, but there are fears that hostilities could resume. The TPLF, on the other hand, has vowed to continue fighting even as its fighters vacate Mekelle, according to a statement.
TPLF’s renewed attacks on federal government posts will trigger regional tensions. Ethiopia accuses Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt of backing the TPLF, which they categorically deny. Ethiopia and Eritrea have cut diplomatic ties with each other. The presidents of Egypt, Somalia, Eritrea, and Sudan’s military ruler met in Egypt on Sunday.
They agreed to settle territorial disputes through peaceful negotiations and respect international law. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt called for dialogue in the wake of the violence as the conflict’s regional impact worries several nations. The leaders condemned unilateral actions by any state that could affect downstream states, as Ethiopia’s Renaissance Dam has long been a point of contention between the riparian states.
The Tigray war, which lasted two years before the Ethiopian federal government and the TPLF signed a cease-fire agreement in March 2022, has resulted in over 600,000 casualties, according to the AU. The resumption of hostilities is feared to cause another humanitarian and regional disaster.
