Ethiopian Airlines suspends flights to three northern Tigray airports

Ethiopian Airlines has suspended flights to Tigray, the northern region of Ethiopia, following the takeover of Mekelle airport by Tigrayan forces, according to local sources. The state-owned airline announced the suspension via social media, stating that flights to Mekelle, as well as the cities of Shire and Axum, were halted due to the current situation in Tigray.

Local sources reported that Tigrayan forces, who fought against the federal government during the 2020-2022 civil war, had seized control of the Mekelle airport from federal police overnight. The Ethiopian government, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which governs Tigray, have not yet responded to inquiries regarding the suspension.

The TPLF recently announced an alliance with six other armed groups across Ethiopia, aiming to overthrow Abiy's government. This move comes after months of strained relations between the TPLF and the federal government, with both sides accusing each other of violating a peace deal signed in November 2022 to end the conflict. In May, the TPLF took control of the region's government from an interim administration established under the peace agreement.

Ethiopian military forces have conducted several drone strikes against Tigrayan forces in recent months, but the federal government has not commented on these incidents. The military reported that nearly 300 Tigrayan fighters had surrendered last week.