The Tigré forces have taken control of three key airports in northern Ethiopia, including the main airport in Mekele, the capital of the Tigré region. The takeover comes as tensions escalate between the Tigré authorities and the federal government. The airports in Mekele, Aksoum, and Shire are now under the control of the Tigré forces. Ethiopian Airlines has suspended all flights to these cities due to the current situation.
The Tigré forces, led by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), have been at odds with the federal government for months. The TPLF was removed from the list of legally registered political parties in May 2025. Since then, relations between the two sides have deteriorated significantly. The federal government has carried out dozens of drone strikes on the Tigré region since early August.
The takeover of the airports is a significant escalation of the conflict. The TPLF has formed an alliance with six other opposition groups, including the Fano militia and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), to "overthrow" the federal government. The move has raised concerns about a potential new wave of violence in the region.
The conflict in Tigré has a history of devastating consequences. A war between the federal government and Tigré forces from 2020 to 2022 resulted in at least 600,000 deaths and displaced over a million people. The Eritrean army supported the federal government during the conflict. The current tensions have raised fears of a repeat of the violence.
The federal government has not yet commented on the takeover of the airports. The international community is watching the situation closely, with concerns about the potential for further escalation. The African Union has called for calm and restraint in the region.
The TPLF has been a dominant force in Ethiopian politics for nearly three decades. The party's leader, Abiy Ahmed, has been at odds with the TPLF since he became prime minister in 2018. The current conflict has significant implications for the stability of the region.
The situation in Tigré remains volatile, with concerns about the potential for further violence. The international community is urging restraint and calm in the region. The Ethiopian government has not yet commented on the situation, but it is clear that the conflict has significant implications for the stability of the region.
Key points
- The Tigré forces have taken control of three key airports in northern Ethiopia amid rising tensions with the federal government.
- The conflict has significant implications for the stability of the region, with concerns about a potential new wave of violence.
- The international community is watching the situation closely, with calls for calm and restraint in the region.
