Ethiopian government forces and allied militias have regained control of Mekelle, the capital of the northern Tigray region, dealing a major setback to 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 a rapid counteroffensive against opposition fighters.
The TPLF, which leads the alliance controlling Tigray, acknowledged its withdrawal from Mekelle in a statement posted on Facebook.
The group said the regional government would be “temporarily moved out of Mekelle and operate from somewhere else,” without disclosing its new location.
A source close to the pro-government Tigray Peace Forces said its fighters entered central Mekelle on Saturday afternoon before being followed by Ethiopian military personnel.
A humanitarian source and a resident of Mekelle, both speaking anonymously, also confirmed that the city was under the control of government forces.
The Ethiopian Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Major Setback for TPLF
The loss of Mekelle represents a significant setback for the TPLF-led opposition alliance, which launched a major offensive against Ethiopian federal forces on September 23.
Federal troops and allied fighters have since mounted a swift counterattack into Tigray, with the latest development raising concerns over a renewed escalation of the region’s conflict.
The fighting is reportedly the most serious escalation since the devastating 2020–2022 Tigray war.
Analysts have warned that the renewed hostilities could develop into a broader regional conflict, particularly amid growing tensions involving neighbouring countries.
The Ethiopian federal government in Addis Ababa also severed diplomatic ties with Eritrea last week, accusing the country of supporting the rebel alliance alongside Sudan and Egypt.
Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt have denied the allegations.
The latest fighting has renewed fears of another prolonged conflict in Tigray, with the recapture of Mekelle marking a major shift in control of the region’s political and military landscape.
