Ethiopia's war with Tigray reignites as TPLF seizes airports, forms rebel alliance

Fighting has erupted between Ethiopia's federal military and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) in the northern Tigray region and neighboring Afar and Amhara regions, marking the effective collapse of a 2022 peace agreement that ended a devastating two-year civil war. On Wednesday, 23 September, TPLF forces seized control of three airports in Tigray from federal police, prompting Ethiopian Airlines to cancel all flights to the region. The federal government and TPLF have accused each other of launching the offensive: Getachew Reda, adviser to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, stated the TPLF launched an "all-out offensive" early Wednesday, while Tigray authorities claimed they were forced into a "defensive war" in response to federal drone strikes and bombardments.

The renewed conflict follows the TPLF's announcement on Sunday of an alliance with six other armed opposition groups—the Amhara Fano National Movement, Oromo Liberation Army, Ogaden National Liberation Front, Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front, Benishangul Peoples' Liberation Movement, and Gumuz Peoples' Democratic Movement—under the banner of the Ethiopian Peoples' Forces Alliance for Survival, with the stated goal of removing Prime Minister Abiy from power. Reports indicate fighting has spread across multiple locations: clashes were reported in Afar towns including Abala and Erebti, and in Amhara near Lalibela. The Alamata strike on Tuesday killed at least 14 people and injured 22, according to Tigrayan authorities, who said federal forces conducted more than 21 drone and fighter jet strikes targeting civilian areas including two secondary schools. A separate strike on Monday hit a convoy of Catholic vehicles carrying food aid, which the US State Department condemned and called for investigation.

Ethiopia's military claimed Thursday that dozens of TPLF fighters had been killed in operations and stated it had detained many others and seized weapons. The government has also alleged that the TPLF is receiving backing from neighboring Eritrea—a claim Eritrea has repeatedly denied. The TPLF has not independently verified the army's casualty claims. Analysts and officials have warned of regional instability: the previous 2020–2022 conflict killed an estimated 500,000 to 600,000 people and drove famine conditions across Tigray, leaving approximately one million people displaced. About one million people remain displaced from the previous conflict. The International Crisis Group noted that alleged Eritrean involvement could trigger a broader regional conflict, particularly given Eritrea's ties to Sudan's army and Ethiopia's growing involvement in Sudan's civil war along its border.

Tensions had been building for months following the TPLF's May reinstatement of its pre-war administration and removal of the federally-backed interim leader. Both sides accused the other of violating the Pretoria Peace Agreement, the African Union-brokered deal signed in November 2022. Prime Minister Abiy had accused the TPLF in July of preparing for renewed conflict during a parliamentary address. The renewed fighting comes despite international calls for dialogue and peaceful resolution, with the United States and other parties urging restraint and implementation of key provisions of the 2022 peace agreement.