Tigray Conflict: Mekelle Airport Is Seized

Northern Ethiopia’s Tigray region is currently witnessing the most significant security escalation in the post 2020–2022 war period following the capture of Mekelle’s main airport and the suspension of Ethiopian Airlines flights to three airports in the region.

These developments came amid reports of continued fighting in Tigray and neighboring Afar and Amhara regions, casting doubt on the durability of the Pretoria Peace Agreement signed in November 2022, after months of growing tensions between the central government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

What Happened at Mekelle Airport?

Reuters cites three local sources saying that Tigray forces have captured Alula Aba Nega International Airport in Mekelle during the night from September 22 to 23.

In an interview with AFP, an airport employee indicated that the staff was told to return home once they had learned that Tigray forces took control of the facility. However, the reported seizure has not been confirmed by Reuters independently, and no comments from the TPLF and the federal government have been received so far.

Following the seizure of the airport, all scheduled flights were immediately cancelled.

Ethiopian Airlines Suspends Flights to Three Airports

Ethiopian Airlines reported the temporary cancellation of flights to Mekelle, Axum and Shire airports due to the “current situation in Tigray.”

The airline did not provide information on how soon the flights will be resumed. The decision means that all regular air connections of Tigray to Addis Ababa have been interrupted.

The importance of this step is in the fact that regular air traffic has been one of the most important ways of connecting the region to the rest of Ethiopia since the peace deal was signed in 2022.

Why Has Fighting Returned?

This latest conflict has come in the wake of a long period of deteriorating relations between the TPLF and the federal government led by PM Abiy Ahmed.

There was a brutal conflict between the two sides that lasted from 2020 to 2022 before reaching the Pretoria Agreement in November 2022. Although the conflict had been stopped with the signing of the agreement, there were several clauses that have been violated or not fulfilled yet.

In May 2026, the TPLF managed to get back control over the Tigrayan regional government from the interim government formed according to the peace agreement. The federal and Tigrayan administrations accused one another of breaching the terms of the agreement. Several drone attacks on the forces of Tigray have been reported by Reuters as well.

The New Anti-Government Alliance

The new escalation of violence occurred shortly after the announcement of the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival on September 20.

This alliance unites seven armed or opposition groups, including the TPLF and the Amhara Fano National Movement. The aim of these groups is to oust the government headed by Abiy Ahmed.

It is worth noting that Fano and TPLF have been fighting against one another during the 2020-2022 war. According to Reuters, the alliance includes several regions and is divided over territorial and political issues.

Is This Conflict Moving to Other Areas?

Reuters said there is fighting in Tigray, Afar, and Amhara, with Tigrayan forces said to be operating together with local militias in Afar and Fano in Amhara.

Claims that Tigrayan forces have captured various towns in Afar have been made by some officials from the TPLF, although these claims have not yet been verified.

There are also conflicting claims between the federal government and the TPLF about who started the recent offensive.