Government Forces Seize Capital of Ethiopia's Tigray Region from Rebels, Mekelle Falls after TPLF Withdrawal

Ethiopian government forces and allied militias have retaken Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, after the Tigray People's Liberation Front withdrew. The TPLF says its administration will operate from elsewhere as fighting threatens a wider regional conflict.

News source: Google / Africa News:  https://www.africanews.com/

Ethiopian government forces and allied militias have regained control of Mekelle, the capital of the northern Tigray region, dealing a major setback to the opposition alliance that has governed the area. The Tigray People's Liberation Front confirmed in a statement that it had retreated from the city, saying its regional administration would be "temporarily moved out of Mekelle and operate from somewhere else."

"The Tigray Forces have been instructed to counter the attack and have entered a defensive war."

A source close to the pro-government Tigray Peace Force militia said its fighters entered the centre of Mekelle on Saturday afternoon, followed by the Ethiopian military. A humanitarian source and a Mekelle resident confirmed the city was under government control.

A Major Blow to the TPLF

The loss of Mekelle represents a significant defeat for the opposition alliance led by the TPLF, which launched a major offensive against the Ethiopian military on September 23. The TPLF had seized the city and its airport last month, prompting Ethiopian Airlines to suspend flights to Mekelle, Axum, and Shire. The TPLF's withdrawal appears designed to spare the city from destruction, mirroring its retreat during the previous civil war. In a video message released Thursday, TPLF Chairman Debretsion Gebremichael indicated his forces were in a defensive mode and would engage in guerrilla-style attacks as the conflict progresses.

A New Phase in the Conflict

The federal government is now working to establish a new administrative structure in Tigray, with plans to hold regional elections "within a few months," according to Abraham Belay, former head of the federally appointed interim administration. New administrative structures will be organised from the locality level upward with community participation. The fighting, which erupted on September 23, is the worst escalation since the 2020-2022 civil war that killed an estimated 600,000 people. The conflict has spread across Tigray, Amhara, and Afar, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.

Humanitarian Toll Mounting

The human cost of the renewed fighting is already severe. More than 50 civilians were reportedly killed in and around Alamata during several days of intense fighting in late September. Médecins Sans Frontières reported hospital admissions in Korem and Alamata more than doubled from 180 to over 420 in just 48 hours. In Afar, an estimated 150,000 civilians have been displaced. A drone strike on a camp for internally displaced people in Sheraro, western Tigray, killed at least eight people, including a child, according to humanitarian sources and witnesses. Telecommunications and internet services across Tigray have been cut off again, plunging millions into information blackouts.

Regional Tensions Escalate

The conflict has ignited diplomatic tensions across the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia severed diplomatic ties with Eritrea last week, accusing it of supporting the rebel alliance alongside Sudan and Egypt. All three countries deny the allegations. Ethiopia also declared an Egyptian diplomat persona non grata, prompting a reciprocal response from Cairo.

The African Union has called on all parties to exercise "maximum restraint and refrain from actions or statements that could further escalate tensions."

Here is the question The Silicon Review raises. Ethiopian government forces have retaken Mekelle, but the TPLF has vowed to continue fighting from elsewhere, and the conflict has already drawn in regional powers. When a peace deal collapses less than four years after ending a war that killed hundreds of thousands, what will it take to prevent another prolonged catastrophe in the Horn of Africa?

FAQ:

Q: What happened in Tigray's capital Mekelle?
A: Ethiopian government forces and allied Tigray Peace Force militias retook control of Mekelle after the TPLF withdrew. The TPLF said its administration would operate from elsewhere.

Q: Why did the TPLF withdraw from Mekelle?
A: The TPLF said the withdrawal was intended to prevent further destruction in the city. It indicated its forces would continue the conflict from other positions.

Q: When did the renewed fighting in Tigray begin?
A: The TPLF launched a major offensive against the Ethiopian military on September 23, 2026, shattering the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement.

Q: How many civilians have been affected by the fighting?
A: More than 50 civilians were killed in Alamata, 150,000 displaced in Afar, and a drone strike on an IDP camp in Sheraro killed at least eight people.

Q: What is the regional impact of the Tigray conflict?
A: Ethiopia severed diplomatic ties with Eritrea, accusing it of supporting the rebels. Egypt and Sudan were also accused. The African Union has called for restraint.