Ethiopia’s federal military has recaptured the main airport serving Mekelle, the capital of the northern Tigray region, according to three sources, marking a significant setback for an opposition alliance fighting government forces in its regional stronghold.
The development comes amid a sharp escalation in fighting across northern Ethiopia, where clashes erupted last week between a rebel alliance led by Tigray’s ruling party and forces aligned with the federal government.
The renewed hostilities represent the most serious outbreak of violence in the region since Ethiopia’s devastating 2020-2022 civil war, raising concerns that the country could slide back into a broader conflict.
The latest fighting has also heightened fears of a regional confrontation that could draw neighboring countries in the Horn of Africa into the crisis.
The United States has urged Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea to exercise restraint and return to diplomacy.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said Washington was strongly urging both governments to “exercise maximum restraint and return to dialogue and cooperation as agreed in their 2018 peace framework.”
“The Horn of Africa cannot sustain another military conflict and humanitarian crisis,” Pigott said, warning that further escalation could also jeopardize U.S. cooperation with both countries on shared interests.
Regional tensions intensified further this week after Ethiopia’s federal government severed diplomatic relations with Eritrea, accusing Asmara of supporting the rebel alliance.
Addis Ababa has also accused Sudan and Egypt of backing the opposition forces. Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt have denied the allegations.
The capture of the airport could strengthen the federal military’s position around Mekelle and affect the opposition alliance’s ability to move personnel and supplies. However, the broader security situation remains volatile as fighting continues and concerns grow over the possibility of another prolonged conflict in northern Ethiopia.
