Ethiopian rebel forces have announced a temporary withdrawal from Mekelle, the regional capital of Tigray. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front, the group governing the northern territory, stated that its fighters relocated to protect local civilians from harm as battles with the national military advanced toward the city limits.
Following the retreat, local residents reported that pro-government troops had successfully established control over the city. According to witnesses speaking to, TPLF forces completely abandoned their positions in Mekelle, and mobile phone connectivity has begun to return to several neighborhoods. According to one resident also, Mobile phone services appear to have resumed in parts of the city.
The pullout marks a significant escalation in the conflict, which has recently intensified across Ethiopia’s northern provinces of Tigray, Amhara, and Afar. Observers warn that the spreading violence threatens to destabilize the broader Horn of Africa and potentially drag neighboring nations into the hostilities.
Amid these developments, international partners are calling for a peaceful resolution. The US Department of State has urged all parties to show “restraint” and engage in “dialogue,” ahead of a diplomatic summit in Egypt where regional leaders are set to discuss the ongoing crisis.
