Ethiopia's Tigray Region Sees Escalation as Local Forces Seize Airport

Local forces in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region have taken control of the airport in the regional capital, Mekelle, from federal police, residents told the BBC. Ethiopian Airlines has suspended flights to Mekelle, Shire, and Axum due to the "current situation" in Tigray, with no flights currently landing at Mekelle's airport.

This development follows escalating tensions this year between the federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which governs Tigray. These heightened tensions have raised concerns about a potential return to civil war. On Sunday, the TPLF announced an alliance with six armed groups in Ethiopia, aiming to oust the government in Addis Ababa.

A two-year conflict in Tigray concluded in November 2022, but both sides have since accused each other of violating the peace deal mediated by the African Union. The earlier conflict was one of the deadliest of the 21st century, with an estimated 600,000 deaths and driving the region to the brink of famine.

The flight suspensions come after a series of reported drone strikes in Tigray. On Tuesday, a strike in the southern town of Alamata, attributed by Tigrayan authorities to federal forces, killed at least 14 people and injured 22 others. The mayor of Alamata stated that over five drones and one fighter jet conducted more than 21 strikes, causing panic and psychological trauma. He asserted that all casualties were civilians and accused federal forces of targeting two secondary schools, though he claimed the schools were unoccupied as the academic year had not yet begun. The government has not yet publicly commented on these allegations.

On Wednesday, Tigrayan authorities accused Addis Ababa of launching an "open invasion" and urged residents to support regional forces. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department's Bureau of African Affairs condemned a separate drone strike that reportedly targeted a convoy of Catholic vehicles carrying food aid on Monday. The bureau called for an investigation and urged all parties to pursue dialogue.

Both the federal government and TPLF leaders have faced criticism regarding delays in implementing key provisions of the Pretoria Agreement, which officially ended the conflict in November 2022. In July, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed accused the TPLF of preparing for renewed conflict. Prior to the general election in May, the TPLF reinstated its pre-war administration, disbanding an interim body appointed by Abiy. Reports have also emerged of the TPLF forcibly recruiting young men.