Rebel forces in Ethiopia's Tigray region have withdrawn from Mekelle as government troops took control of the city, two residents told the BBC on Friday. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) said it pulled back temporarily, citing concerns over civilian safety amid the renewed fighting.
The withdrawal comes after weeks of clashes between TPLF fighters and the Ethiopian federal army, alongside allied militias, across northern Ethiopia’s Tigray, Afar, and Amhara regions. The conflict reignited despite a 2022 peace deal brokered by the African Union, known as the Pretoria Agreement, which had ended a two-year civil war that killed an estimated 600,000 people.
One Mekelle resident said mobile phone services had resumed in parts of the city, which had been cut off during earlier phases of the conflict. Another confirmed that pro-government forces were now in control, and that TPLF fighters had abandoned their positions.
The TPLF has governed Tigray since Ethiopia’s civil war erupted in 2020. Last month, it allied with six other armed groups, including the Fano militia from Amhara, to form a coalition aimed at overthrowing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government. This alliance has intensified fears of wider regional instability.
Ethiopia’s government has accused Eritrea of supporting the new rebel coalition, an allegation Asmara denies. The diplomatic fallout escalated on Friday when Ethiopia and Eritrea severed relations. Meanwhile, Ethiopia expelled an Egyptian diplomat over accusations that Egypt backed the rebels. Egypt responded by expelling an Ethiopian embassy official.
The US Department of State called for “restraint” and “dialogue” from all parties ahead of a diplomatic meeting scheduled for Sunday. The talks will include leaders from Ethiopia’s neighbouring countries and focus on the conflict’s impact on regional security, particularly concerning Egypt.
The United Nations has warned that the renewed fighting is severely disrupting humanitarian efforts in northern Ethiopia. Aid agencies face mounting challenges in delivering food and medical assistance to civilians caught in the crossfire.
Tigray residents have barely begun to recover from the previous war, which pushed the region to the brink of famine. The current escalation threatens to undo the fragile gains made since the peace agreement.
Friday’s developments signal a sharp turn after months of tension and mutual accusations of violating the Pretoria Agreement. The situation remains fluid, with no immediate end to the clashes in sight.
According to Joy Online.
