Ethiopian Federal Forces Seize Tigray Capital Mekelle From Rebels

Ethiopian federal forces have regained control of Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region, from rebels.

Local sources confirmed on Sunday that federal troops were patrolling Mekelle and manning key institutions. The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which leads the opposition alliance, stated on Facebook that it had retreated from the capital and that the regional government would temporarily move out of Mekelle and operate from somewhere else. A source close to a pro-government militia, the Tigray Peace Forces, reported its fighters entered the center of Mekelle on Saturday afternoon, followed by the Ethiopian military.

Communications were restored for the first time in more than a week. Businesses and shops remained closed, with owners moving stock to safer locations. Residents reported no police, organizing their own security. Ethiopian federal forces also recaptured Mekelle airport. The TPLF launched a fresh offensive against the federal government last month, drawing counterattacks and sparking fears of a return to the devastating civil war of 2020-2022.

The taking of Mekelle is a major blow to the TPLF-led opposition alliance. The presidents of Egypt, Somalia, Sudan, and Eritrea were set to meet in the Egyptian city of Alamein on Sunday to discuss the conflict, as concerns grow that the violence could spread beyond Ethiopia's borders. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of directly backing the Tigray rebels, with the support of Sudan and Egypt, which all three countries deny.

Ethiopia severed diplomatic ties with Eritrea last week, and Eritrea responded by saying it would sever all diplomatic ties. The TPLF leader implied they would continue guerrilla-style attacks, similar to when the city fell in 2020.