Residents of Mekelle, the main city in Ethiopia's Tigray region, reported that local forces took control of the city's airport from national police on Wednesday. This development comes amid escalating tensions between the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and the federal government. The TPLF, which controls Tigray, announced an alliance with six other armed groups in Ethiopia to remove the government in Addis Ababa.
The seizure of the airport follows reports of drone strikes in Tigray in recent days. On Tuesday, a strike in the southern town of Alamata killed at least 14 people and injured 22 others, according to the Tigrayan authorities. The town's mayor, Mogos Shiferaw, accused federal forces of targeting two secondary schools, which were allegedly struck on suspicion that they were being used by Tigrayan forces.
The conflict in Tigray has a long and complex history. A two-year war in the region ended in 2022, but tensions have been escalating in recent months. Both sides have accused each other of violating a peace deal brokered by the African Union. The conflict has had a devastating impact on the region, with an estimated 600,000 people killed and many more displaced.
The TPLF and the federal government have been exchanging accusations over the recent violence. Getachew Reda, a cabinet minister and adviser to Ethiopia's prime minister, said Tigrayan fighters had taken control of federally administered airports in Tigray and launched offensives in neighboring Afar and Amhara regions. The TPLF, on the other hand, accused the government of launching an "open invasion" of the region.
The international community has expressed concern over the escalating violence. The US State Department's Bureau of African Affairs condemned a drone strike that targeted a convoy of Catholic vehicles carrying food aid. The bureau called for an investigation and urged all parties to resolve their differences through dialogue.
The conflict has also had an impact on the region's infrastructure and economy. Ethiopian Airlines has cancelled all flights to Tigray following the seizure of the airports. The Tigray authorities accused the government of disrupting public services and critical infrastructure.
The situation in Tigray remains volatile, with both sides dug in and unwilling to back down. The African Union's mediator estimated that 600,000 people died in the two-year war, and there are fears that the conflict could escalate into a full-scale war.
Key points
- Local forces in Tigray seize Mekelle airport amid escalating tensions with federal government.
- Conflict in Tigray has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement.
- International community calls for dialogue and investigation into drone strikes.
