The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has temporarily withdrawn its forces from the regional capital, Mekelle, due to concerns about risks to civilians. This decision comes as fighting with the national army intensifies and moves towards the city. According to residents, pro-government forces now control the city, and TPLF forces have abandoned it. The situation has raised concerns among observers that the fighting could further destabilize the Horn of Africa.
The conflict in Tigray has been escalating in recent weeks, with fighting erupting between the TPLF and federal government forces alongside allied fighters in parts of Ethiopia's northern regions of Tigray, Afar, and Amhara. The US Department of State has called for "restraint" and "dialogue" on all sides ahead of a diplomatic meeting about the conflict in Egypt. The meeting aims to address the growing tensions and find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The TPLF had been running the Tigray region, but its relations with the federal government have worsened over the past six months. Both sides have accused each other of violating the Pretoria Agreement, a peace deal brokered by the African Union (AU) in 2022. The agreement had ended a devastating two-year civil war that resulted in an estimated 600,000 deaths and drove the region to the precipice of famine.
In a recent development, the TPLF joined six other armed movements, including the Fano militia from Amhara, to form an alliance aimed at removing Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government from power. This move has led to a significant escalation of the conflict, with Ethiopia and Eritrea severing diplomatic relations with each other. Addis Ababa accused Asmara of supporting the new rebel alliance, which Eritrea denied.
The conflict has also led to a deterioration in relations between Ethiopia and Egypt. Ethiopia accused Egypt of supporting the rebels, leading to the expulsion of an Egyptian diplomat. Cairo responded by ordering an Ethiopian embassy official to leave within the same period. The United Nations has warned that the security situation in northern Ethiopia is severely disrupting humanitarian work.
The UN has called on all sides to guarantee safe and unhindered access to people in need. The situation in Tigray remains dire, with residents trying to recover from the devastating civil war. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with concerns about the potential for further destabilization in the region.
The withdrawal of TPLF forces from Mekelle marks a significant shift in the conflict, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. The international community continues to call for restraint and dialogue to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Mobile phone services have reportedly resumed in parts of the city, and residents are trying to return to normal life.
Key points
- The TPLF's withdrawal from Mekelle has led to pro-government forces taking control of the city.
- The conflict has resulted in a deterioration in relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea, as well as Ethiopia and Egypt.
- The international community is calling for restraint and dialogue to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
