In brief
The TPLF withdrew from Mekelle due to civilian safety concerns amid advancing federal troops. The city is now under government control, with mobile service partially restored. Experts warn the fighting could spread, destabilising the Horn of Africa. The US calls for restraint and diplomatic talks in Cairo.
In a strategic shift, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) announced it had temporarily withdrawn its forces from Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia’s Tigray region. The move comes as federal troops advance and the battle for the city intensifies.
The TPLF said the decision was driven by concerns for civilian safety, noting that Mekelle had already seen heavy fighting and that residents feared further bloodshed. Local witnesses report that pro‑government forces now hold the streets and that mobile phone service has begun resuming in parts of the city.
Observers warn that if the fighting spreads beyond Tigray, it could destabilise the broader Horn of Africa and invite intervention from neighbouring countries. The United States has urged restraint and dialogue, calling for a diplomatic meeting in Cairo to discuss the escalating crisis.
The withdrawal follows a bitter two‑year civil war that ended in 2022 with the Pretoria Agreement. However, the last six months have seen a renewed strain as both sides accuse each other of violating the peace deal. In late August, the TPLF joined other armed groups in an alliance that seeks to oust Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Humanitarian agencies warn that the deteriorating security situation is disrupting aid delivery and that urgent protection is needed for civilians caught in the conflict.
