Renewed violence has broken out in northern Ethiopia, with rebel forces from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) taking control of regional airports and engaging government troops in the Afar and Amhara regions. The escalation has triggered anxieties that the conflict could spiral into a broader war in the region, which is still recovering from the devastating 2020-2022 civil war.
According to local witnesses, TPLF fighters armed with light weapons occupied Mekelle Airport, the capital’s main hub, without facing resistance. The airport, typically guarded by government forces, was among several seized, including facilities in Axum and Shire. In response, Ethiopian Airlines suspended operations at these locations citing the volatile security situation.
These hostilities represent the latest in a series of clashes over recent months and come merely days after the TPLF declared the formation of an “Alliance for Survival.” The new coalition aims to oust Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his administration. This move follows Abiy’s reelection in June, a victory achieved by his Prosperity Party with an overwhelming majority after being boycotted by major opposition groups.
The African Union estimates that approximately 600,000 people died during the previous civil war between the TPLF and Ethiopian forces, with more than one million individuals remaining displaced. The TPLF previously governed Ethiopia from 1991 until Abiy assumed power in 2018, a transition that ultimately precipitated the earlier conflict.
Although the Pretoria Peace Agreement was signed to halt the fighting, stability has proven elusive. Tensions resurged in 2025 when government forces resumed drone strikes while TPLF militias began concentrating troops along regional borders. Ethiopia has accused the TPLF of forming alliances with neighboring Eritrea and other armed factions.
In a statement on Facebook, the Tigray government defended its actions, claiming its army was ordered into a defensive battle against what it described as a “genocidal invasion.” Meanwhile, an advisor to Prime Minister Abiy condemned the developments as “heartbreaking,” highlighting the rebel offensives across multiple regions.
Ethiopian Airlines suspending flights is a bad sign. What does this mean for civilians trapped in the middle?
600,000 died last time. How can they repeat this nightmare? The world needs to act now.
Is anyone actually surprised? The peace has always felt fragile since Abiy took power.
Terrifying to see the airports seized so quickly. Hope the Pretoria agreement holds this time.