Tigray drone strikes continue as life resumes in Mekelle
Drone strikes continue in Ethiopia's Tigray region as federal forces attempt to suppress an insurgency following the seizure of Mekelle's airport. While conflict persists, residents in Mekelle are seeing a slow return to daily routines, including the reopening of markets.
Why it matters
The situation highlights the fragility of the 2022 peace agreement and the ongoing humanitarian and economic challenges in the Tigray region.
Government-allied forces are carrying out drone strikes in Ethiopia’s Tigray region as fighting intensifies, according to a Tigray Peace Force commander.
“The federal government with the cooperation of our forces are conducting the drone strikes until our state is free from those forces,” said Ermiyas Ababu, a commander in the Mekelle zone.
The renewed clashes come after Tigray fighters seized Mekelle's airport on September 23. Federal forces have reportedly since retaken the facility, while Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has vowed to crush the insurgency.
In Mekelle, however, daily life is gradually picking up. Markets have reopened and some local transport services have resumed after several days of disruption.
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