Ethiopian Federal Forces Retake Mekelle Airport as Tigrayan Fighters Withdraw
Topic: Ethiopia-Tigray Conflict, Mekelle Airport and Renewed Fighting
Ethiopian federal forces have reportedly retaken Alula Aba Nega Airport in Mekelle, the capital of the northern Tigray region, after Tigrayan fighters seized the facility last month, according to residents and multiple sources.
The reported recapture marks a significant development in the renewed fighting between Ethiopia’s federal forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The airport had been under Tigrayan control since September 23, when fighters seized three airports in the region, prompting Ethiopian Airlines to suspend commercial flights to Mekelle, Axum and Shire.
Residents who spoke to international media said Tigrayan fighters and some senior TPLF leaders were seen leaving Mekelle. However, reports indicated that federal troops had not yet been clearly seen throughout the city, leaving uncertainty over who exercised full control of the regional capital.
The situation remains difficult to independently verify because of severe internet and cellphone disruptions in Tigray. Details surrounding when and how the airport changed hands, including whether fighting occurred at the facility, remain unclear. Neither the Ethiopian government nor the TPLF had immediately issued an official statement confirming the reported recapture.
The renewed conflict has raised concerns among residents who are still recovering from Ethiopia’s devastating 2020-2022 Tigray war. The latest fighting has disrupted banking, communications, transportation and other essential services, adding to fears of renewed isolation and humanitarian hardship.
The fighting has also taken on a wider regional dimension. Ethiopia and Eritrea have recently severed diplomatic ties amid accusations by Addis Ababa that Eritrea is supporting the TPLF. Eritrea has denied the allegations. Ethiopia has also accused Sudan and Egypt of supporting opposition forces, claims those countries have rejected.
The African Union has called for restraint as concerns grow that the renewed violence could spread beyond Tigray and contribute to broader instability across the Horn of Africa.
For civilians in Mekelle and surrounding areas, the immediate priority remains safety and the restoration of essential services as competing forces continue to maneuver in the region.
The reported airport recapture represents an important shift in the latest conflict, but it does not necessarily signal an end to the fighting. Analysts and regional observers remain concerned about the possibility of further escalation and the humanitarian consequences for communities already affected by years of conflict.
Swifters
