Tigrayan forces have withdrawn from Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, as federal troops and allied fighters advance on the city, government sources said on Saturday.
The reported withdrawal would mark a major escalation in the rapidly shifting conflict and potentially open the way for forces aligned with the federal government to enter the regional capital.
The development comes after the pro-government Tigray Peace Forces said they had taken control of Alula Aba Nega International Airport, around 10 kilometres outside Mekelle, and were advancing toward the city.
The airport had previously fallen under the control of forces aligned with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, or TPLF, after renewed fighting erupted in northern Ethiopia in late September.
Federal forces and their allies have since launched a rapid counteroffensive along several routes toward Mekelle, reversing some of the gains made by Tigrayan forces during the opening stages of the latest fighting.
Tigrayan fighters have also pulled back from neighbouring Afar following government advances. Conflict monitor ACLED has reported that pro-government forces regained several towns in the region, including Abala, Erebti and Megale.
Reports in recent days had already indicated that some TPLF leaders were leaving Mekelle and that thousands of civilians were fleeing the city amid fears that fighting would reach the regional capital.
The Tigray Peace Forces said late Friday that they had seized Mekelle’s airport and were continuing operations toward the city, although independent verification has been difficult because of communications disruptions and restrictions on access to the conflict zone.
The renewed fighting is the most serious escalation in northern Ethiopia since the 2020-2022 civil war, which ended with a peace agreement between the federal government and Tigrayan authorities.
The latest conflict has also heightened regional tensions, with Ethiopia and Eritrea severing diplomatic relations and Addis Ababa accusing Eritrea of supporting the TPLF, an allegation Asmara denies.
