Ethiopian Rebel Forces Withdraw from Tigray Capital Amid Renewed Fighting

Rebel forces in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region announced a temporary withdrawal from the regional capital, Mekelle, on Sunday as clashes with the national army intensify. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which has long governed the area, cited civilian safety concerns as the primary reason for relocating its troops.

Residents in Mekelle told the BBC that pro-government forces have taken control of the city, with reports indicating that mobile phone services have begun to resume in certain districts. The shift marks a significant escalation in violence that has erupted recently across the northern regions of Tigray, Afar, and Amhara.

Observers warn that the unfolding conflict threatens to further destabilize the Horn of Africa, potentially dragging in neighboring nations. In response, the US Department of State urged all parties to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue ahead of diplomatic talks scheduled for Sunday in Egypt with leaders from Ethiopia’s neighbors.

The resurgence of hostilities follows the end of a devastating two-year civil war in 2022, brokered by the African Union through the Pretoria Agreement. However, relations between the federal government and the TPLF deteriorated over the past six months, with both sides accusing each other of breaches. Last month, the TPLF allied with six other armed movements, including the Fano militia from Amhara, forming a coalition aimed at removing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government.

The diplomatic fallout has been swift. Ethiopia and Eritrea severed ties on Friday after Addis Ababa accused Asmara of backing the rebel alliance, a claim Eritrea denied. Additionally, Ethiopia expelled an Egyptian diplomat over allegations of support for the rebels, prompting Cairo to order the departure of an Ethiopian embassy official.

According to AU mediators, the previous conflict was one of the deadliest of the century, resulting in an estimated 600,000 deaths and pushing the region toward famine. The United Nations has cautioned that the worsening security situation is severely hampering humanitarian operations, calling for guaranteed safe access for aid workers.