Ethiopian government forces seize Tigray capital Mekelle as TPLF withdraws

Ethiopian federal forces have seized Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, after the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) announced its temporary withdrawal to operate elsewhere. The city was retaken shortly after government forces recaptured Mekelle’s main airport. Sources close to pro-government militias and residents confirmed that the city is now under government control. The renewed conflict began on September 23, following the collapse of a 2022 peace deal, reigniting fears of a wider regional war.