Ethiopian forces near Tigray capital, fears grow of wider conflict
Oct 2 (Reuters) - Ethiopian government forces closed in on the capital of the northern rebel stronghold of Tigray onFriday, residents and a diplomat said, as fears grew that fighting could spill into a wider war after Ethiopia and Eritrea cut diplomatic ties. Banks and shops in the city, Mekelle, were closed with the Ethiopian National Defence Force and allied militiamen reported to be within…
Ethiopian government forces have advanced toward the capital city of Mekelle, the stronghold of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) rebel alliance, according to residents and a diplomat. The Ethiopian National Defence Force and allied militiamen are reported to be close to the city, with banks and shops remaining closed.
This development comes after Ethiopia and Eritrea severed diplomatic ties, leading to fears of a wider conflict. Pro-government forces have made significant gains in Tigray since the outbreak of combat last week, following a civil war that ended in 2022. However, suspected drone attacks on the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, raise concerns that the TPLF and its allies may possess more advanced capabilities than initially thought.
Experts warn that the current conflict could spread beyond Ethiopia's borders due to the region's unstable political landscape and competing regional powers.
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