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Why did the TPLF pull out of Mekelle?

New military movement has been reported in Tigray, in northern Ethiopia. The TPLF, which governs the region, said it had temporarily withdrawn its forces from the regional capital after clashes with the national army moved toward Mekelle. The group said the decision was taken because of risks faced by civilians.

Two people living in Mekelle said pro-government forces had taken control of the city and that TPLF members had left. They also said mobile phone services had started working again in some parts of the city.

The latest development is being seen as an important turning point in the fighting that has flared again in recent weeks in parts of Tigray, Afar and Amhara. Observers warn that any further escalation could trigger wider instability in the Horn of Africa and affect neighboring countries.

What background is driving the renewed fighting?

People in Tigray were still trying to recover from the impact of a devastating two-year civil war after the Pretoria Agreement, mediated by the African Union, was signed in 2022. But relations between the sides have deteriorated sharply over the past six months, with both accusing the other of violating the deal.

Last month, the TPLF joined a new alliance with six armed movements, including the Fano militia in Amhara. The stated aim of the alliance was to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government from power.

  • The two-year civil war ended in 2022 through African Union mediation.
  • Over the past six months, both sides have accused each other of violating the peace deal.
  • The TPLF formed a new alliance with six other armed movements last month.

An estimate by an African Union mediator says about 600,000 people were killed in the previous war. The fighting was also previously recorded as pushing the region to the brink of famine.

What do the regional tensions and humanitarian picture show?

On Friday, Ethiopia and Eritrea severed diplomatic ties after Addis Ababa accused Asmara of supporting the new rebel alliance. Eritrea denied the claim. Ethiopia also accused Egypt of backing the rebels; afterwards, an Egyptian diplomat was expelled and Cairo asked a staff member from the Ethiopian embassy to leave the country at the same time.

The U.S. State Department called on all sides to show restraint and hold talks ahead of a diplomatic meeting in Egypt on Sunday with leaders of some of Ethiopia's neighbors. The United Nations said the worsening security situation in northern Ethiopia was severely disrupting humanitarian aid and called for safe, unhindered access to those in need.

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