Ethiopian gov’t forces advance in Tigray as rebels retreat: What to know

What the report says

Ethiopian federal forces and allied pro-government units have advanced in the northern Tigray region, with reports that they retook Alula Aba Nega Airport in Mekelle, the regional capital. The developments follow more than a week of heavy fighting between the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, or TPLF, and its allies, according to Al Jazeera’s reporting based on Reuters and AFP sources.

The clashes have spread across several fronts in northern Ethiopia, including Tigray, Amhara and Afar. The article says fighting in Tigray began after rebel forces seized airports in the region, while battles in Afar raised concern over supply routes linked to Djibouti. It also notes claims of government gains near Mekelle and reports from residents and journalists that some TPLF fighters were leaving the city, alongside fears of looting and a breakdown in security.

Al Jazeera reports that the renewed conflict has effectively shattered the November 2022 Pretoria Agreement, which had been meant to stabilize the region after the earlier Tigray war. Humanitarian groups have warned of civilian harm, including wounded people and reports of destruction from shelling and air strikes. The article says at least 52 civilians have been killed in northern Ethiopia since the fighting resumed.

The broader significance is the risk of regional spillover. Eritrea has severed diplomatic ties with Ethiopia, while analysts and aid organizations warn the conflict could draw in neighboring states and worsen instability across the Horn of Africa.