Ethiopian federal forces have entered the capital of the Tigray region, Mekelle, following reports that local rebels, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), had vacated the city. This development comes after a surge in violence that began on September 23, when the TPLF launched attacks into adjacent areas. The renewed conflict has raised fears of a return to the brutal civil war that ravaged the region from 2020 to 2022.
In recent days, government and allied troops have been pushing back the TPLF, advancing towards Mekelle. A humanitarian source informed AFP that Ethiopian federal and allied forces have been spotted in various locations across the city. Meanwhile, a journalist in Mekelle reported that TPLF leaders and militants were leaving the area, abandoning government buildings and police stations, which are now unguarded.
The situation on the ground is challenging to verify due to a telecommunications blackout. However, local residents have expressed concerns about potential lawlessness in the absence of security forces. One resident voiced fears that government and public property could be vulnerable to looting and expressed a desire for a swift return to order. The resident's concerns reflect the anxiety felt by many in the region.
The conflict has strained Ethiopia's relations with neighbouring countries, including Eritrea and Egypt, both of which have been accused of supporting the TPLF. In response to these allegations, Ethiopia expelled ten Eritrean diplomats on Thursday, prompting Eritrea to take reciprocal action. The escalating tensions have raised concerns about the potential for further conflict in the region.
A mini-summit involving the leaders of Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan is set to take place in Alamein, Egypt, on Sunday, coinciding with an African Business Forum. This meeting comes as the situation in Tigray continues to deteriorate. The TPLF, which has been the dominant force in Tigray, was ousted from power earlier this year, but its leader, Debretsion Gebremichael, has vowed to continue attacks.
The TPLF initially made gains in neighbouring Afar and Amhara, but government forces have mounted a successful counter-offensive. Reports indicate that Mekelle's airport has fallen into the hands of pro-government militia. However, the ongoing communications blackout and media restrictions complicate the verification of these accounts, making it difficult to determine the full extent of the situation.
The conflict in Tigray has a long and complex history, with the TPLF ruling Ethiopia from 1991 until 2018, when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power. The subsequent civil war claimed over 600,000 lives, according to the African Union. A peace agreement brokered in 2022 stabilised the situation temporarily, but tensions have resurfaced due to the lack of full enforcement.
Key points
- Ethiopian federal forces have entered the Tigray capital, Mekelle, after TPLF rebels vacated the city.
- The conflict has strained Ethiopia's relations with Eritrea and Egypt, both accused of supporting the TPLF.
- A mini-summit involving regional leaders is set to take place in Egypt to address the escalating tensions.
