Ethiopian Forces Retake Mekelle After TPLF Rebels Withdraw From Tigray Capital

Government-allied forces have re-entered Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, after the Tigray People's Liberation Front announced its withdrawal following more than a week of intense fighting that erupted on September 23. The TPLF had seized the city and Alula Aba Nega Airport in late September, prompting Ethiopian Airlines to suspend commercial flights to Mekelle and other Tigrayan cities. Witnesses reported seeing TPLF-aligned fighters departing the city over several days, with some on foot and carrying light weapons, while small groups of fighters from the Tigray Peace Force—a federal government-allied faction composed of former TPLF members—entered Mekelle. Residents described looting of government facilities and police headquarters as security personnel withdrew.

The renewed fighting has shattered the Pretoria Agreement, a peace deal signed in November 2022 that ended a two-year conflict between federal forces and the TPLF. The TPLF, which governed Tigray and dominated Ethiopia's ruling coalition from 1991 to 2018, is one of seven opposition groups that formed an alliance late September with the stated objective of removing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed from power. TPLF Chairman Debretsion Gebremichael has characterized the fighting as a "continuation of the previous war" and vowed that his forces would continue attacking and defending Tigray.

The conflict has spread across multiple fronts in northern Ethiopia, extending into the Amhara and Afar regions. Federal forces and their allies have captured several towns, including Alamata near Tigray's southern border with Amhara, which serves as a supply hub. Fighting in Afar threatens supply routes from Djibouti, through which most Ethiopian imports pass. An explosion was reported at Ethiopia's Ministry of Defence in the capital, Addis Ababa, marking the first apparent spillover of violence outside the northern region.

Ethiopia has accused Eritrea and Egypt of backing the TPLF, allegations both countries deny. Ethiopia on Thursday closed its embassy in Eritrea and ordered 10 Eritrean diplomats to leave; Eritrea responded by announcing it would break diplomatic relations. The African Union has urged restraint, warning that escalating tensions endanger the 2022 peace agreement. Humanitarian sources report at least 52 civilians have been killed in the fighting, and severe disruptions to internet and mobile networks have hindered information gathering from the affected regions. Residents have expressed fears of renewed isolation and lawlessness as the conflict disrupts essential services including banking and communications.