Ethiopian government forces seize Tigray capital Mekelle as TPLF withdraws
Ethiopian federal government forces have seized control of Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region, following the withdrawal of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). This development marks a significant escalation in the renewed conflict that began in September.
Why it matters
The collapse of the 2022 peace deal and the resumption of hostilities in Ethiopia threaten regional stability and raise concerns about a wider humanitarian crisis.
Federal troops and allied fighters seen in control of the city after capturing main regional airport.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Toggle Play Ethiopian government troops seize Tigray’s capital Mekelle
The group leading an armed Ethiopian opposition alliance says it has withdrawn from Mekelle, the capital of the northern region of Tigray, after an advance by government forces and allied fighters.
In a statement on social media late on Saturday, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) said it had “temporarily moved out of Mekelle” to “operate from somewhere else”.
The announcement came hours after Ethiopia’s federal army and pro-government fighters recaptured Mekelle’s main airport. A source close to the Tigray Peace Forces, a pro-government militia, told the Reuters news agency its fighters had entered Mekelle’s centre on Saturday afternoon, followed by the Ethiopian military.
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6 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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