Rebel forces withdraw from Mekelle, heightening fears of broader conflict

Rebel forces in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region have announced a temporary withdrawal from the regional capital, Mekelle. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) said the move followed concerns about the safety of civilians as the national army approaches the city.

A couple of residents told the BBC that pro‑government forces now control Mekelle and that the TPLF has abandoned the city. One witness also noted that mobile phone coverage has returned to sections of the city, suggesting a brief lull in fighting.

The latest development marks a dramatic turn in the conflict that has shaken the Horn of Africa. Analysts warn that the clash could destabilise the region further, potentially pulling in neighbouring countries. The US Department of State has called for “restraint” and “dialogue” ahead of a diplomatic meeting on the conflict in Cairo.

After a two‑year civil war that claimed an estimated 600,000 lives, Ethiopia signed a peace deal with the TPLF in 2022. Relations have deteriorated in the last six months, with both sides accusing each other of violating the agreement and joining forces with other militias, such as the Fano militia from the Amhara region, in a new coalition aimed at toppling the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Britain and the United Nations have warned that the worsening security situation is crippling humanitarian efforts and that all parties must guarantee safe access to those in need.

Meanwhile, diplomatic ties have frayed sharply. Ethiopia and Eritrea severed relations last Friday over accusations of support for the rebel alliance, and the United Arab Emirates has called on the region to deescalate before further humanitarian fallout sets in.