Ethiopian rebel forces pull back from Tigray's regional capital Mekelle
The Tigray People's Liberation Front has withdrawn from Mekelle as government-allied forces take control of the city, marking a significant turn in renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia. The escalation has raised fears of wider instability in the Horn of Africa.
Rebel forces in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region have temporarily pulled out of Mekelle, the regional capital, as fighting with the national army advanced on the city. The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which has administered the region, said the pullback was driven by concern over the safety of civilians.
Two residents in Mekelle told the BBC that forces aligned with the federal government now control the city and that TPLF units have left. One resident said mobile phone networks had come back online in parts of the city.
In recent weeks, clashes have broken out between the TPLF and federal government forces, along with allied fighters, across parts of Ethiopia's northern Tigray, Afar and Amhara regions. Observers warned the shift could further destabilise the wider Horn of Africa and risk pulling in neighbouring states.
The US State Department urged all sides to show restraint and pursue dialogue, ahead of a diplomatic meeting on the conflict held in Egypt on Sunday involving leaders from some of Ethiopia's neighbours.
Fragile peace unravelling
Tigray is still recovering from a devastating two-year civil war that ended in 2022 through the African Union-brokered Pretoria Agreement. Relations between the two sides have deteriorated over the past six months, with each accusing the other of breaching that deal.
Last month the TPLF joined six other armed groups, including Amhara's Fano militia, in forming an alliance aimed at removing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government. The earlier civil war was among the deadliest conflicts of this century, with the African Union's mediator estimating around 600,000 deaths as fighting pushed the region toward famine.
On Friday, Ethiopia and Eritrea cut diplomatic ties after Addis Ababa accused Asmara of backing the new rebel alliance, an allegation Eritrea denies. Ethiopia has also accused Egypt of supporting the rebels, expelling an Egyptian diplomat; Cairo responded by ordering an Ethiopian embassy official to leave. The United Nations has warned that the worsening security situation in northern Ethiopia is severely hampering humanitarian operations.
