The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has announced a temporary withdrawal of its forces from Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, as the national army consolidates its hold on the city. According to residents and satellite reports, pro‑government troops have taken control of the streets and have reportedly reinstated mobile phone services in parts of Mekelle.
The decision by the TPLF, which has ruled Tigray since the start of the war, was justified on the grounds of protecting civilians from the intensifying fighting that could spill into the city’s civilian infrastructure. Despite the withdrawal, tension remains high as both sides accuse each other of violating the 2022 Pretoria Agreement that ended the previous two‑year hostilities.
International observers warn that a shift in the centre of gravity of the conflict could destabilise the Horn of Africa. The United States has called for restraint and dialogue in a meeting in Cairo, where leaders from neighboring countries are to discuss the crisis. Ethiopia’s diplomatic relations with Eritrea have already been severed, and Egypt has expelled an Ethiopian diplomat, compounding a complex regional picture.
Humanitarian agencies report that the escalating violence is severely disrupting aid delivery and endangering civilians across northern Ethiopia. UN spokespersons urge all parties to guarantee safe, unhindered access for relief operations.
