Ethiopian government forces and allied militias have regained control of Mekelle, the capital of the northern Tigray region, in a major setback for the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF)-led opposition alliance.
Three sources told Reuters on Sunday that government forces had taken control of the city after TPLF fighters withdrew from Mekelle.
The TPLF confirmed its retreat in a statement, saying the regional government would temporarily relocate from Mekelle and operate from another location.
A source close to the pro-government Tigray Peace Forces said its fighters entered central Mekelle on Saturday afternoon, followed by Ethiopian military personnel. A humanitarian worker and a resident of the city also confirmed that government forces were in control.
The Ethiopian prime minister’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The capture of Mekelle represents a significant blow to the TPLF, which launched a major offensive against Ethiopian federal forces on September 23.
Federal troops and allied fighters have since mounted a rapid counteroffensive in Tigray, raising fears that the latest fighting could develop into a wider regional conflict.
The escalation is reportedly the most serious since Ethiopia’s devastating civil war, which lasted from 2020 to 2022.
Tensions have also increased beyond Ethiopia’s borders. The federal government in Addis Ababa recently severed diplomatic ties with Eritrea, accusing it of supporting the Tigray rebel alliance along with Sudan and Egypt. The three countries have rejected the allegations.
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