Government-Allied Forces Enter Mekelle as Ethiopia’s Tigray Conflict Escalates

The Tigray Peace Forces, a pro-government militia, said it had taken control of Mekelle. Reuters reported that the Ethiopian military followed the militia into the city, while a humanitarian source and a resident also confirmed that government forces and their allies were in control. The TPLF said the regional government would temporarily operate from elsewhere.

The withdrawal followed days of rapid advances. On October 2, the Tigray Peace Forces said it had captured Milazat, about 20 kilometres southeast of Mekelle, as federal forces moved deeper into Tigray. At that point, banks and shops in Mekelle had reportedly closed amid fears of further fighting.

The latest fighting has raised concern that the conflict could worsen and affect neighboring countries. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting the TPLF-led opposition alliance. All three countries have denied backing the rebels. Eritrea said on October 1 that it was severing diplomatic ties with Ethiopia, after Addis Ababa closed its embassy in Asmara.

The renewed clashes are also threatening the 2022 peace agreement that ended the previous two-year war in Tigray. AP reported that commercial flights to Mekelle and other Tigrayan cities had been suspended after fighters seized the city’s airport, while internet and mobile network disruptions have made it harder to verify developments on the ground. Residents also reported looting as TPLF-allied fighters withdrew.

The situation remains fluid. Allegations of foreign involvement remain disputed, and the change in control of Mekelle does not by itself mean the wider conflict has ended.