Ethiopia's Tigray rebels abandon regional capital of Mekelle as pro-government forces advance

What the report says

Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict appeared to intensify on Saturday as fighters from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front were reported to be leaving Mekelle, the region’s main city in the north, while pro-government forces advanced, according to France 24 citing a local journalist and residents speaking to AFP. The report said federal troops and allied militias had already pushed back rebel forces and were moving toward the city after capturing Mekelle’s airport a day earlier.

People in the city described growing concern over the absence of security personnel, with government offices and police stations reportedly left unguarded. Residents told AFP they feared looting and a wider breakdown in order if the armed groups withdrew before federal forces entered the city. The report said federal troops had not yet been seen inside Mekelle at the time of publication.

France 24 said the fighting began on September 23, when the TPLF launched attacks into neighboring regions, raising fears of a renewed civil war similar to the 2020-2022 conflict. The article also noted a widening diplomatic fallout: Ethiopia has accused Eritrea and Egypt of backing the rebels, expelled diplomats from both countries, and closed its embassy in Asmara. As a broader context, renewed fighting in Tigray risks destabilizing northern Ethiopia and could further strain relations across the Horn of Africa.