Rebel forces in Ethiopia have withdrawn from the capital of the Tigray region, citing civilian protection as their reason, while reports indicate that government forces have taken control of the city.
On Sunday, 4 Oct 2026 GMT+7, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), a rebel group that formerly governed Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, announced its withdrawal from Mekelle, the region's temporary capital, citing concerns about dangers to civilians as fighting with government troops approached the city.
However, Mekelle residents confirmed to the media that pro-government forces have taken control of the city, with the TPLF forces having abandoned the area, and mobile phone signals have started to return in some parts of the city.
The fighting in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region reignited in recent weeks after the Pretoria Agreement ceasefire, brokered by the African Union in 2022, collapsed amid mutual accusations of breaches by both sides.
In September, the TPLF allied with six other armed groups, including the Fano militia from the Amhara region, forming a new coalition aimed at removing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed from power.
The conflict has escalated to a regional level, with Ethiopia and Eritrea severing diplomatic ties after Ethiopia accused Eritrea of supporting the new rebel alliance, a claim Eritrea denies.
Simultaneously, Ethiopia accused Egypt of supporting the rebels as well, leading to the expulsion of Egyptian diplomats from Ethiopia, and Cairo responded by expelling Ethiopian diplomats in kind.
The United States has called on all parties to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue, while the United Nations warned that worsening security conditions are obstructing humanitarian aid delivery to a region that lost over 600,000 people in the previous civil war.
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Source:bbc