Ethiopian rebel forces withdraw from Tigray regional capital

What the report says

Rebel forces in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region have said they have temporarily pulled out of Mekelle, the regional capital, as fighting with federal forces and allied fighters pushes closer to the city, according to BBC Africa. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front said the move was intended to reduce risks to civilians.

Two residents in Mekelle told the BBC that pro-government forces now control the city and that TPLF fighters have left. One resident also said mobile phone service appeared to be returning in parts of the city. The BBC report says the developments come after renewed fighting in recent weeks across parts of Tigray, Afar and Amhara.

The shift is significant because Mekelle is the administrative center of Tigray and the conflict has already raised fears of wider instability in the Horn of Africa. The United States has called for restraint and dialogue, while diplomats were due to meet in Egypt. The BBC also noted that the region was trying to recover from a two-year civil war that ended with the 2022 Pretoria Agreement, but tensions have worsened again in recent months.

More broadly, the renewed conflict has revived concern about humanitarian access and regional spillover. The BBC reported that the United Nations has warned the deteriorating security situation is disrupting aid efforts and urged all sides to allow safe access to people in need.