Ethiopia’s military and pro-government forces have recaptured the main airport in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, following a week of intense fighting. The conflict erupted last week between the federal government led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), undermining the Pretoria Agreement, a peace deal signed in November 2022.
Ethiopian troops regained control of Alula Aba Nega Airport in Mekelle, approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) east of the city center, according to sources familiar with the situation and humanitarian sources cited by Reuters. The airport was one of three airfields in the region seized by rebel forces at the beginning of the fighting on September 23.
A resident of Mekelle, who requested anonymity for security reasons, confirmed that government forces had retaken the airport and reported hearing gunfire outside the city center. This source also noted that some TPLF fighters were abandoning their posts and returning home, while looting of government facilities was occurring in the city. A local journalist corroborated this information, stating that TPLF militants and leaders were leaving Mekelle, and that government offices and police stations were left unguarded.
Concerns about lawlessness were expressed by local residents, with one stating, "I want us to quickly return to law and order."
On Friday, Al Jazeera’s bureau chief in Ethiopia, Mohammed Taha Tawakel, reported that federal government forces had made significant advances in Tigray, capturing several towns and closing in on Mekelle. The fighting has spread across northern Ethiopia, affecting the Tigray, Amhara, and Afar regions.
The Tigray Peace Force, an armed group of Tigrayan fighters aligned with the federal government, announced last week that it had captured the town of Alamata, which is strategically important as it is near Tigray’s southern border with Amhara and serves as a supply hub for troops, fuel, and food. Control of Alamata could facilitate federal forces' advance towards Mekelle.
The offensive in Afar poses a potential threat to supply routes from Djibouti, through which most Ethiopian imports, including fuel, are transported. Allegations of direct Eritrean involvement in the fighting have also emerged, with Ethiopia accusing Eritrea of supporting armed groups opposed to its government, a claim Eritrea has denied.
The conflict has also spread into Amhara, particularly around North Wollo, with the Ethiopian military reporting approximately 270 Tigrayan fighters killed and over 200 wounded.
In Addis Ababa, an explosion was reported at the Ministry of Defence, marking the conflict's first spillover into the capital. The humanitarian impact of the fighting has been severe, with at least 52 civilian deaths reported in northern Ethiopia. Doctors Without Borders noted a surge in the number of wounded in the region.
Amnesty International has reported credible allegations of destruction of civilian objects, forced conscription, and other potential violations of international humanitarian law since the resumption of fighting.
Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s regional director for East and Southern Africa, emphasized the need for the African Union’s Peace and Security Council to address the situation urgently, warning against waiting for mass atrocities to occur.
On Thursday, Eritrea severed diplomatic relations with Ethiopia, escalating tensions between the two nations. Eritrea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Ethiopia's actions left it with no choice but to cut ties, accusing Ethiopia of pursuing a hostile agenda.
Despite a restoration of ties in 2018, relations have deteriorated due to accusations of Eritrea supporting TPLF rebels. The ongoing conflict in Sudan and security crises in Somalia are also contributing to regional instability, with concerns about the potential for the conflict to spread beyond Ethiopia's borders.
Laura Hammond, a professor at SOAS University of London, noted that Eritrea's support for the TPLF could lead to increased involvement in the conflict, raising the risk of further regional escalation.
Eritrea has denied any involvement in the ongoing war.