Ethiopian forces retake Mekelle as renewed Tigray conflict raises displacement fears

What happened

Al Jazeera Sudan reports that Ethiopian federal forces and allied Tigray Peace Force fighters regained control of Mekelle after the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) withdrew and relocated its regional administration. This recapture follows several years of fragile peace under the Pretoria agreement, which ended the devastating 2020-22 war but left key issues unresolved.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. The renewed capture revives concerns over a return to full-scale conflict reminiscent of the earlier war, which killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions. Residents expressed deep fears that prolonged fighting could devastate livelihoods and prompt mass displacement, adding to existing humanitarian pressures in neighbouring regions such as Sudan.

Tensions have also extended beyond Tigray, with reports of drone strikes in Addis Ababa and accusations of Eritrean involvement inflaming diplomatic relations and raising the risk of a wider regional conflict. Ethiopia expelled Eritrean diplomats and severed ties with Asmara, highlighting the deteriorating security environment.

Known from the source

• Ethiopian federal forces and allied fighters recaptured Mekelle after the TPLF withdrew.
• The Pretoria agreement of 2022 ended large-scale fighting but unresolved political and military issues remain.
• Renewed fighting has caused reports of drone strikes in Addis Ababa and escalated diplomatic tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
• Ethiopia expelled Eritrean diplomats and severed diplomatic relations with Eritrea.
• The Tigray war (2020-22) resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and millions displaced.

What remains unclear

While government sources confirm control of Mekelle, external verification remains limited. The renewed fighting and complex political disputes between the federal government and TPLF underline continued instability, with significant humanitarian risks including displacement, food insecurity, and limited aid access in border regions linked to Sudan.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Verify claims of drone strikes in Addis Ababa and identify the actor responsible. Confirm the precise extent of Ethiopian federal forces’ control over Mekelle and surrounding areas. Clarify casualty figures associated with the renewed fighting.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Al Jazeera Sudan. Open the source.