Conflict & Security
Ethiopian forces retake Tigray capital Mekelle as TPLF withdraws
October 4, 2026 at 04:02 PM
3 reports · 1 in Arabic, 2 in English · over 4 hours
Ethiopian government forces have retaken the Tigray regional capital Mekelle after the TPLF withdrew from the city amid a renewed conflict.
- The Tigray People's Liberation Front said it had "temporarily moved out of Mekelle" to operate from elsewhere.
- Federal forces and allied fighters recaptured Mekelle's main airport and entered the city centre on Saturday.
- Ethiopia accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of backing the rebel coalition formed to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
- The US State Department urged all sides to show restraint and return to dialogue on the conflict.



