Ethiopia’s military and pro-government forces have recaptured the main airport in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, as the government forces advanced in the northern region after more than a week of intense fighting. Fighting erupted last week between the federal government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and its allies, shattering the fragile Pretoria Agreement, a peace deal signed in November 2022. The fighting has stoked fears that it could escalate into a wider regional conflict, potentially drawing in neighbouring countries in the Horn of Africa.
This is what you need to know about the latest developments: Ethiopian troops regained control of Alula Aba Nega Airport in Mekelle, a source with knowledge of the events in the city and a humanitarian source told the news agency. The airport, about 10km (6 miles) east of the centre of Mekelle, was one of three airfields in the region that were seized by rebel forces at the start of the fighting on September 23. A third source, a Mekelle resident who asked not to be named for security reasons, confirmed government forces had retaken the airport and added that gunfire could be heard outside the city centre.
This source reported seeing some fighters from the TPLF abandoning their posts and heading home and said looting of government facilities was taking place in the city. This was also confirmed by a local journalist who told the news agency the “TPLF militants and leaders are leaving Mekelle.” The journalist added that government offices and police stations had also been left without security personnel. A local resident told that he was concerned “government and public property could be exposed to looting”.
I want us to quickly return to law and order,” another resident said. On Friday, Al Jazeera’s bureau chief in Ethiopia, Mohammed Taha Tawakel, reported that forces loyal to the federal government have made significant gains in Tigray, taking control of several towns and closing in on Mekelle. The fighting has occurred on several fronts across northern Ethiopia that stretch across the Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions.
Last week, the Tigray Peace Force, an armed group composed of Tigrayan fighters aligned with the federal government, said it had captured the town of Alamata. Alamata is important because it sits near Tigray’s southern border with Amhara and serves as a supply hub for troops, fuel and food. Control of the town could allow federal forces to push north towards Mekelle.
The offensive in Afar could threaten supply routes from Djibouti, through which most Ethiopian imports, including fuel, pass. The fighting in Afar also comes amid allegations of direct Eritrean involvement. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of backing armed groups opposed to its government.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
