Ethiopian government forces and allied fighters have advanced into Mekelle after TPLF forces withdrew from parts of the Tigray capital, marking a major shift in the renewed conflict.
Government forces were carrying out security operations inside the city, according to reports, while the Alula Aba Nega International Airport remained under the control of forces aligned with Addis Ababa for a second day.
Several government facilities in Mekelle were reportedly left largely empty after Tigrayan forces pulled back from the city. The withdrawal came as federal forces and their allies increased pressure on the regional capital following days of rapid advances across Tigray.
The latest developments represent a serious reversal for the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which resumed hostilities on September 23 after months of growing tensions with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government.
The TPLF and allied groups had sought to regain territory and increase pressure on the federal government. The renewed fighting initially raised concerns that Ethiopia could face another prolonged conflict in its north, four years after the previous Tigray war ended with a peace agreement.
But government forces have since regained the initiative, according to reports from the region. Federal troops and allied fighters have retaken several strategic locations, while Tigrayan forces have reportedly withdrawn towards rural and mountainous areas.
The change on the battlefield has also affected areas of neighbouring Afar region where Tigrayan forces had previously made advances. Government-aligned forces have been working to recover those positions as part of their broader counteroffensive.
Mekelle's capture or loss is particularly significant because the city is the political and administrative centre of Tigray. Control of the regional capital would also give the federal government greater leverage over the conflict and put additional pressure on the TPLF leadership.
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Attention is now turning to what happens next. Any federal advance towards northern Tigray could bring Ethiopian forces closer to the Eritrean border, potentially adding another dimension to an already volatile regional crisis.
Adigrat, one of the largest towns in northern Tigray, is strategically important because of its proximity to Eritrea and its location along routes leading towards the Red Sea. A government push in that direction could further increase tensions between Addis Ababa and Asmara.
Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of supporting forces opposed to the federal government, an allegation Asmara has rejected. Relations between the two neighbours have deteriorated sharply in recent months, despite their cooperation during the previous Tigray conflict.
The latest fighting comes against a backdrop of wider regional tensions involving Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt and Sudan. Addis Ababa's interest in securing reliable access to the Red Sea has added another layer to the disputes, while disagreements over regional alliances have increased concerns about the conflict spreading beyond Ethiopia's borders.
The new fighting has revived memories of the 2020-2022 Tigray war, one of Ethiopia's deadliest conflicts in recent decades. The war caused massive displacement and a humanitarian crisis before the Pretoria peace agreement brought the main hostilities to an end.
For residents of Mekelle, the immediate priority is security and the restoration of basic services. The situation remains fluid, and it was not immediately clear whether the TPLF's withdrawal represented a temporary tactical move or a broader retreat from the regional capital.
The latest battlefield changes nevertheless indicate that the balance of power has shifted rapidly in favour of the federal government, while the TPLF faces renewed pressure to reorganise its forces outside the main urban centres.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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