Mekelle falls to government forces in escalating Tigray war
Pro-government forces retook Mekelle, Tigray's capital, dealing a major setback to the opposition TPLF alliance.
Government forces and the pro-government Tigray Peace Forces militia have retaken Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region in northern Ethiopia. The opposition Tigray People's Liberation Front said it retreated from the city and would operate the regional government from elsewhere.
The capture marks a major loss for the TPLF, which launched a big offensive on September 23. The fighting represents the worst escalation since a 2020 to 2022 civil war that devastated the region.
Analysts warn the conflict could spread into a wider regional crisis. The Ethiopian federal government has accused Sudan, Egypt and Eritrea of backing the TPLF, though all three deny involvement.
- September 23
- TPLF offensive date
- 2020 to 2022
- Previous civil war
- Mekelle, Tigray region capital
- City retaken
- Tigray Peace Forces militia
- Pro-government force
Why it mattersThe shift in military control tips the balance in Ethiopia's worst conflict since 2020 and raises the risk a broader regional conflict draws in neighbouring countries.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but escalation in the Horn of Africa can disrupt trade and humanitarian access across East Africa and draw in larger powers.
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