Ethiopian rebel forces withdraw from Tigray regional capital

In Ethiopia's Tigray region, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has temporarily withdrawn from the regional capital, Mekelle, amid escalating fighting with national army forces converging on the city. The TPLF cited concerns for civilian safety as the reason for relocating. Local residents confirmed that pro-government forces now control Mekelle, while TPLF forces have abandoned it.

Mobile phone services have reportedly resumed in parts of the city. Conflict has intensified in northern Ethiopia's Tigray, Afar, and Amhara regions over recent weeks, involving the TPLF, federal government forces, and allied fighters. This development represents a significant shift in the conflict, raising fears of further instability in the Horn of Africa and possible involvement from neighboring countries.

The US Department of State urged all parties to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue ahead of a diplomatic meeting on Sunday with leaders from several Ethiopian neighbors in Egypt. Tigrayans are still recovering from a devastating two-year civil war that concluded in 2022 through the Pretoria Agreement brokered by the African Union (AU).

However, relations between the parties have deteriorated over the past six months, with accusations of violating the agreement. Earlier this month, the TPLF joined six other armed groups, including the Amhara-based Fano militia, to form an alliance aiming to overthrow Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government. The civil war, one of the deadliest conflicts of the 21st century, resulted in an estimated 600,000 deaths, according to the AU’s mediator, as the region teetered on the brink of famine.

On Friday, Ethiopia severed diplomatic ties with Eritrea, accusing Asmara of supporting the new rebel alliance, an allegation denied by Asmara. Ethiopia also accused Egypt of backing the rebels, resulting in the expulsion of an Egyptian diplomat, to which Cairo responded by ordering an Ethiopian embassy official to leave. The United Nations warned that the deteriorating security situation in northern Ethiopia is severely disrupting humanitarian efforts and called for all sides to ensure safe and unhindered access to those in need.