Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Ethiopian Forces Regain Mekelle as Tigray Rebels Retreat
Ethiopian government forces and their allies entered Mekelle, the capital of Tigray.
News sources said the government forces took control of the city.
The Tigray People's Liberation Front said its fighters had left and that the regional government would work from another place for a while.
Fighting began on September 23 after the rebels launched an offensive.
Some residents worry about safety and looting because security personnel were reportedly absent from some public buildings.
Phone and internet problems have made reports from the area difficult to check.
Ethiopia and Eritrea have also had a serious disagreement, and Ethiopia accused Eritrea, Egypt, and Sudan of supporting the rebels.
Those countries deny the accusations, according to the Reuters report.
The renewed fighting threatens to widen a conflict that was especially severe from 2020 to 2022.
Sources told AFP and Reuters that Ethiopian federal forces and allied fighters entered Mekelle and regained control of the Tigray capital.
The Tigray People's Liberation Front said it had retreated and that the regional government would temporarily operate elsewhere.
The fighting began on September 23, after rebel forces launched an offensive that included advances into Afar and Amhara.
Residents raised concerns about looting and safety amid reports that police stations and government offices lacked security personnel.
The conflict has heightened regional tensions, including Ethiopia's diplomatic dispute with Eritrea and accusations involving Egypt and Sudan.
- Who
- Ethiopian federal forces and allied militias, including the Tigray Peace Forces, and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
- What
- Government forces regained control of Mekelle after the TPLF said it had retreated.
- When
- Saturday; Reuters reported the development on October 4, without specifying the year in the supplied text.
- Where
- Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia's Tigray region.
- Why
- The takeover followed a government counter-offensive after the TPLF launched an offensive on September 23.
TPLF and its allies
Ethiopian government and allies
Control of Mekelle
TPLF and its allies
The TPLF said it had retreated from the capital and that the regional government would temporarily operate elsewhere.
Ethiopian government and allies
Sources cited by Reuters said government forces and allied militias had regained control of Mekelle.
Alleged external support
TPLF and its allies
The supplied reports do not include a direct TPLF response to Ethiopia's allegations of foreign support.
Ethiopian government and allies
Ethiopia accused Eritrea, Egypt, and Sudan of supporting the rebel alliance; Reuters reported that those countries deny the accusations.
- City
- Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia's Tigray region.
- Reported control
- Reuters cited three sources saying government forces and allied militias had regained control; AFP cited a humanitarian source reporting federal and allied forces in the city.
- TPLF response
- The TPLF said it had retreated and the regional government would temporarily operate elsewhere.
- Fighting began
- September 23, according to both reports.
- Resident concerns
- Residents cited worries about looting, lawlessness, and personal safety.
- Verification limits
- Telecommunications disruptions and restricted media access made reports difficult to verify, according to the AFP report.
- Regional dispute
- Ethiopia accused Eritrea, Egypt, and Sudan of supporting the rebel alliance; the Reuters report said the three countries deny this.
