Ethiopian government-aligned forces have entered Mekelle, the capital of the northern Tigray region, after Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) fighters withdrew from the city amid renewed fighting, a witness said.
The TPLF seized Mekelle and its airport last month but announced Saturday that its fighters had pulled out, apparently to prevent further destruction. The group had similarly withdrawn from the city during the previous two-year conflict that ended with a 2022 peace agreement.
Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to Mekelle, Axum and Shire after the airports came under rebel control. The African Union urged all sides to exercise restraint, warning that the renewed fighting could threaten the 2022 peace deal.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has faced growing resistance from Tigray’s leadership, with TPLF Chairman Debretsion Gebremichael openly challenging the federal government. Debretsion said Thursday that the latest clashes were a continuation of the earlier conflict and vowed to keep fighting to defend Tigray.
Following the government takeover, regional security is expected to be handed to the Tigray Peace Force, made up largely of former members of the TPLF’s armed wing, the Tigray Defense Forces, according to Ethiopia analyst Jalale Getachew Birru of the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project.
Internet and mobile phone disruptions have made it difficult to independently verify developments in the region. Some connectivity returned Sunday.
A local businessman, Filmon Equar Hailu, said he witnessed TPLF-linked fighters leaving Mekelle in small groups, with some walking and carrying light weapons. He said the withdrawal began about three days earlier and continued until Saturday afternoon.
Filmon also reported looting at the TPLF administration office, regional police headquarters and several shops. He said Tigray Peace Force fighters later entered the city and celebratory gunfire was heard overnight.
The renewed conflict has also raised wider regional concerns. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea and Egypt of potentially supporting the TPLF, though Egypt denies backing the group.
Ethiopia and Eritrea have separately exchanged accusations amid worsening relations, while Ethiopia and Egypt remain at odds over Ethiopia’s Nile dam project.
Eritrea announced it was severing diplomatic relations with Ethiopia after Addis Ababa ordered 10 Eritrean diplomats to leave, accusing them of threatening national security.