Ethiopian federal forces retake Mekelle airport from Tigrayan fighters, residents say

Ethiopian federal forces have reclaimed the Mekelle airport from Tigrayan fighters, according to local residents. This reversal of control follows a takeover by Tigrayan forces earlier in the month, which led to the suspension of commercial flights last month. The exact timing of the federal forces' recapture remains unknown, as communication networks in the region are severely disrupted.

Both the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front have not commented on the airport's reported capture. The situation in Mekelle itself is unclear, with residents concerned about potential looting. Tigrayan fighters seized the airport on September 23, causing Ethiopian Airlines to halt flights to Mekelle and the Tigrayan cities of Axum and Shire.

The African Union has urged restraint, warning that renewed tensions could jeopardize the peace agreement signed in 2022. Federal troops are currently battling alongside allied Tigrayan forces against the TPLF. The TPLF has recently allied with six other opposition groups in an effort to oust Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government.