Residents in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region have reported that local forces seized control of the main airport in the regional capital, Mekelle, from the federal police. The incident has heightened concerns about a resurgence of conflict in the area, with no flights currently landing at the facility and Ethiopian Airlines suspending services to Mekelle, Shire, and Axum due to the unstable conditions.
The seizure follows a sharp deterioration in relations between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which governs the region. On Sunday, the TPLF announced the formation of an alliance with six other armed groups, stating its intention to remove the government in Addis Ababa from power. Both sides have accused each other of violating the African Union-mediated peace agreement that ended a two-year war in November 2022.
The previous conflict, one of the deadliest of the 21st century, resulted in an estimated 600,000 deaths and pushed the region toward famine. Political tensions have intensified this year, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed accusing the TPLF in July of preparing for renewed warfare. In May, just before general elections, the TPLF reinstated its pre-war administration, replacing an interim government appointed by Abiy. Reports also indicate the TPLF has engaged in the forced recruitment of young men.
Violence has recently escalated on the ground. Following a series of drone strikes, at least 14 people were killed and 22 injured on Tuesday in the southern town of Alamata. Tigrayan authorities stated that more than five drones and a fighter jet carried out over 21 strikes starting around 03:30 local time. Mogos Shiferaw, the mayor of Alamata, described the attacks as causing widespread panic and psychological trauma, accusing federal forces of targeting two secondary schools. He claimed the schools were unoccupied as the academic year had not yet begun, though he suggested they may have been struck under suspicion of being used by Tigrayan forces.
On Wednesday, Tigray authorities alleged that Addis Ababa had launched an open invasion against regional residents and called for unity and support for local forces. Separately, the US State Department condemned a drone strike on Monday that targeted a convoy of Catholic vehicles transporting food aid, urging an investigation and dialogue to prevent further incidents.
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