Fears of a renewed civil war in Ethiopia have escalated after rebel forces in the northern Tigray region reportedly seized control of the airport in its capital, Mekelle. The takeover has prompted state-owned Ethiopian Airlines to suspend services to three local destinations. According to two local sources, Tigrayan forces took control of Mekelle airport from federal police in an overnight operation.
The development marks a sharp escalation nearly four years after a peace deal ended a brutal two-year civil war in the East African country. In a statement on Wednesday, Tigray's regional government said its forces have entered a defensive war against federal troops. The government accused the federal government of launching a ground offensive after air and artillery strikes across parts of Tigray on Tuesday.
The federal government has yet to publicly comment on the alleged takeover and the airstrikes. However, the situation has prompted concern from international organizations. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned last month that Ethiopia was on the brink of renewed war. Recent clashes and reported drone strikes have threatened the fragile peace in Tigray since a 2022 peace agreement ended the two-year war between federal forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
The TPLF is part of a coalition of seven armed groups that announced an alliance seeking to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government and establish a transitional administration. The coalition, known as the Ethiopian Peoples' Forces Alliance for Survival, accused the ruling Prosperity Party of imposing "dictatorial" rule and pushing the East African country toward disintegration.
Abiy's spokesperson, Billene Seyoum, accused the alliance of collaborating with financial backing from neighboring Eritrea, a claim that Eritrean authorities have repeatedly denied. The Ethiopian Airlines schedule disruption follows an earlier suspension of flights to Tigray in January amid reports of renewed military activity. At the time, passengers received cancellation messages citing unplanned circumstances.
The conflict in Tigray has killed hundreds of thousands of people, and the region has struggled to secure lasting stability since the 2022 peace agreement. The situation remains fragile, with clashes and drone strikes continuing to threaten the peace. The international community remains concerned about the escalation of violence in the region.
The Ethiopian government and international organizations are yet to provide a unified response to the crisis. However, the situation in Tigray continues to deteriorate, with fears of a renewed civil war escalating. The country's stability and the humanitarian situation in the region are of great concern to the international community.
Key points
- Tigray's regional government has announced that its forces have entered a defensive war against federal troops.
- The conflict in Tigray has killed hundreds of thousands of people since a two-year civil war ended in 2022.
- Ethiopian Airlines has suspended services to Mekelle, Shire, and Axum due to the current situation in Tigray region.
