Airstrikes

Airstrikes and heavy artillery fire have hit northern Ethiopia’s Tigray region as renewed fighting intensified after government-allied forces took control of the regional capital Mekelle, humanitarian sources said.

The latest violence comes less than two weeks after fighting erupted between Ethiopian federal forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), raising fears that the region could again descend into a prolonged conflict.

Airstrikes reported in Tigray

Humanitarian sources said airstrikes overnight and into Monday struck areas of Tigray.

At least 17 people were reported killed in separate strikes in and around Adwa and Sheraro, northwest of Mekelle, according to a humanitarian bulletin circulated among aid organisations. Reuters said it could not independently verify the casualty figures or determine who carried out the airstrikes.

In Adwa, about 100 kilometres northwest of Mekelle, nine people were reportedly killed. Another eight were reported dead in Sheraro.

A separate report from AFP said a drone strike on a camp for internally displaced people in Sheraro killed at least eight people, including a child, while six others were seriously wounded, according to a humanitarian source and witness.

Mekelle falls back under government control

The escalation follows the withdrawal of TPLF forces from Mekelle, Tigray’s regional capital.

Government-allied forces entered the city after the TPLF announced that its fighters were pulling back. The group said the withdrawal was intended to prevent further destruction in the city.

Ethiopian federal forces and allied Tigray Peace Force fighters subsequently established control over the capital and its airport.

Residents reported that some government institutions and shops were looted during the withdrawal, while communication services and normal activity in parts of Mekelle gradually began returning.

Fighting continues outside the capital

Although government forces now control Mekelle, fighting has continued elsewhere in Tigray.

Humanitarian sources reported heavy artillery exchanges near the Tekeze River, including around Mai Tsebri. The fighting indicates that the fall of Mekelle has not ended the conflict between federal forces and TPLF-linked fighters.

The renewed conflict is particularly concerning because Tigray is still recovering from the devastating 2020-2022 war, which caused enormous civilian suffering and left large humanitarian needs across the region.

Fears of a wider regional conflict

The latest fighting has also increased concerns about a broader conflict involving neighbouring countries.

Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting armed opposition groups. The three countries have denied the allegations.

Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have deteriorated sharply in recent days. The two countries have severed diplomatic ties amid the escalating dispute and accusations surrounding the renewed fighting.

Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a border war from 1998 to 2000 and later normalised relations before tensions resurfaced.

US urges restraint

The United States has urged Ethiopia and Eritrea to exercise restraint and warned that further escalation could threaten regional stability and US cooperation with both countries.

The concern extends beyond Tigray because the Horn of Africa is already facing several overlapping conflicts, including the war in neighbouring Sudan.

The renewed Ethiopian fighting also comes amid wider political tensions involving Ethiopia’s relations with Eritrea and its long-running interest in securing access to the Red Sea.

Humanitarian situation remains fragile

Aid organisations are particularly concerned about civilians caught between the fighting.

Communication disruptions have made it difficult to independently verify events in several parts of Tigray. Access restrictions and continuing military operations are also complicating humanitarian efforts.

The reported deaths in Adwa and Sheraro, including the reported strike on an internally displaced people’s camp, have added to concerns about civilian safety as fighting spreads beyond the immediate area around Mekelle.

For residents who survived the previous Tigray war, the latest escalation has revived fears of another prolonged conflict.

The situation remains fluid, with government forces consolidating their control over Mekelle while fighting continues in other parts of northern Ethiopia.

Source attribution: Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Al Jazeera and humanitarian sources.