Pro-government forces enter Mekelle
The change of power in Tigray’s capital increases uncertainty around the 2022 peace agreement.
Pro-government fighters entered Mekelle on Sunday after the Tigray People's Liberation Front announced its withdrawal from the city. The precise control of the city and the scale of the fighting are difficult to establish independently.
According to witnesses who spoke to The Associated Press, fighters supporting the Ethiopian government entered Mekelle, the capital of the northern Tigray region. The TPLF, Tigray’s political and military power base, said on Saturday that its troops were withdrawing. The movement said it wanted to prevent further destruction of the city.
The development follows weeks of mounting fighting. Tigrayan fighters had earlier taken Mekelle airport and parts of the city. Ethiopian Airlines subsequently suspended flights to Mekelle and other cities in Tigray. Independent reporting from the region has been limited by problems with internet and telephone connections.
The conflict goes back to the 2020–2022 war between the federal army and the TPLF. That war ended with the Pretoria peace agreement, but the political balance of power in Tigray remained contested. According to AP, a regional administration loyal to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed remained in Mekelle, while the TPLF again sought greater influence.
Both sides blame each other for the new escalation. The TPLF describes the fighting as a continuation of the earlier war. The Ethiopian government accuses the TPLF of having started an armed rebellion again. The role of neighbouring Eritrea is also the subject of mutual accusations; Eritrea denies supporting Tigrayan fighters.
The African Union has called for restraint and warned that the new fighting could undermine the peace agreement. The regional organisation IGAD has also called for de-escalation. Another prolonged war could further increase tensions between Ethiopia, Eritrea and other regional power blocs.
The entry into Mekelle therefore does not automatically mean that the fighting is over. It remains unclear which armed groups actually control the city, whether a regional administration will be reinstalled and how the civilian population will retain access to food, healthcare and communication. Reliable figures on casualties are not currently available.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- According to AP, pro-government fighters have entered Mekelle.
- The TPLF announced a withdrawal.
- The 2022 peace agreement is once again under pressure.
- Control of the city and the humanitarian situation have not been fully independently verified.
Left
Arguments The protection of civilians and humanitarian access must be prioritised. Neither of the warring parties should be allowed to impose political objectives through military force.
Values Human rights, the international rule of law and accountability.
Consequences Without international pressure and independent observers, new refugee flows and unpunished abuses threaten to emerge.
Centre
Arguments The African Union and regional organisations should organise a ceasefire and political negotiations, while Ethiopia retains its territorial integrity.
Values Stability, diplomacy and institutional continuity.
Consequences A mediated settlement could limit further escalation, but is unlikely to offer a quick solution to the power struggle in Tigray.
Right
Arguments The federal government has the right to defend the constitutional order and the national territory. Armed groups must not be rewarded with political concessions.
Values State authority, security and sovereignty.
Consequences A hard-line security approach could restore control, but increases the risk of another prolonged insurgency if political representation is not provided.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core facts are confirmed by AP and Reuters. Uncertainties about control, casualties and further developments are explicitly marked as uncertain.
- confirmed Pro-government fighters entered Mekelle after the TPLF’s withdrawal. — Reported by AP on the basis of witnesses and a statement by the TPLF. source
- confirmed The TPLF had earlier taken Mekelle airport and the city. — Described by AP. source
- confirmed The 2020–2022 war ended with the Pretoria peace agreement. — Background information from AP. source
- confirmed The African Union called for restraint. — Mentioned in the current AP report. source
Editor's note
The entry has been reported by AP and Reuters, but actual control of Mekelle remains uncertain because of limited communication. Available sources provide no reliable current casualty figures.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- De Telegraaf — „ethiopië tigray”
- AD — „ethiopië tigray”
- de Volkskrant — „ethiopië tigray”