Ethiopian Forces Advance Against Northern Rebels in Renewed Tigray Clashes
A return to armed conflict in northern Ethiopia threatens regional stability and dismantles a fragile peace established two years ago.
Ethiopian federal forces and allied militias advanced deeper into the Tigray region following a resurgence in combat against northern rebel groups. The fighting shattered the peace framework established by the 2022 Pretoria Agreement, which concluded a two-year civil war.
The Ethiopian National Defense Force pushed northward toward the regional capital of Mekelle after securing Alamata, a strategic transit hub in southern Tigray. The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project recorded the takeover. Pro-government fighters also took positions near Milazat, roughly 20 kilometers southeast of Mekelle.
The latest round of fighting began on Sept. 23 when Tigray People's Liberation Front fighters seized airports in Mekelle, Shire and Aksum. Days earlier, the group joined six other armed movements to form an alliance seeking to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed from power. Clashes spread across multiple fronts in the Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions.
A local source said Tigrayan forces fought to defend the southern towns of Mekoni and Maychew. Other reports indicated rebel units moved into Afar around Erebti, an area near Ethiopia's main trade corridor toward Djibouti ports. Communication blackouts and damaged infrastructure have restricted the flow of information across the battle zones.
The violence caused civilian casualties and disrupted aid efforts. Residents in Selenwuha reported deaths from heavy artillery strikes. The International Committee of the Red Cross reported limited ability to evacuate people trapped by the fighting.
Ethiopian authorities accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supplying military and financial backing to the rebels. All three governments denied the accusations. Ethiopia ordered 10 Eritrean diplomats to leave Addis Ababa and shut its embassy in Asmara, prompting Eritrea to sever formal ties.
Government forces and allied militias said they recaptured the airport in Mekelle during their counteroffensive. Both sides have mobilized additional fighters while preparing for combat across northern fronts.
