Mekelle Residents Fear Renewed Conflict
In Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia’s Tigray region, residents are living in fear as renewed clashes between federal forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) erupt. The fighting has shut down key transport routes, cut internet service, and prompted many to flee to neighboring Afar. Th…
By Felo News Desk · Published
On Friday, the streets of Mekelle, the largest city in northern Ethiopia, were filled with anxious voices as residents reported a surge in fighting between federal troops and rebels aligned with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Many locals said they were trying to escape the violence by heading to other provinces, while the city’s market stalls fell silent.
Living in Fear Amid Renewed Hostilities
Selam Fantay, a garlic vendor in Mekelle’s bustling market, told reporters that the atmosphere was one of terror. “People are deeply concerned that the suspension of transport services signals the outbreak of renewed conflict,” she said. Internet service has been disrupted across parts of northern Ethiopia, and roads that once connected Tigray to the neighboring Afar region have been closed to civilian traffic. The closures have left residents uncertain about how to reach safety or obtain basic supplies.
Businessman Hailay Meles expressed worry that the loss of transport links would drive up the cost of essential goods. “As long as this conflict persists, it will continue to drive up the prices of basic commodities,” he said. The disruption of supply chains has already begun to affect the availability of food, medicine, and other necessities.
Displacement and Humanitarian Concerns
Valerie Browning, co‑founder of the Afar Pastoralist Development Association, reported that many people were fleeing Tigray into Afar. She described how explosions were heard overnight and how the humanitarian group’s vehicles, including ambulances, were being seized by the government for use in the war. The displacement of civilians has added a new layer of urgency to an already volatile situation.
Background: A Fragile Peace Agreement
The renewed fighting has shattered a 2022 peace agreement that ended a two‑year war in Tigray. The agreement had ended hostilities between the federal government and the TPLF, an armed political group that once dominated Ethiopia’s coalition government from 1991 to 2018. After the November 2022 accord, a caretaker administration reporting to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took charge in Mekelle. However, tensions remained high, and in May the caretaker leader Tadesse Werede was replaced by a TPLF‑aligned figure.
Both sides now accuse each other of violating the peace deal. Ethiopian federal authorities have alleged that the TPLF is seeking an alliance with neighboring Eritrea to destabilize the country, while the TPLF claims that the government has conducted drone attacks in Tigray. Eritrea, which had sent soldiers to support Ethiopian troops during the earlier conflict, has expressed alarm over Abiy’s repeated calls for sovereign access to the Red Sea via Eritrea.
Coalition of Opposition Groups and the Risk of Wider Conflict
In recent weeks, seven opposition groups have joined forces in a coalition aimed at removing the Prosperity Party government of Abiy. The coalition includes the TPLF, the Amhara Fano National Movement, and the Oromo Liberation Army. According to Magnus Taylor of the International Crisis Group, the alliance combines political opposition to Abiy with military coordination among armed groups operating in different parts of Ethiopia. Taylor warned that coordinated campaigns could open several fronts against the federal government, increasing the risk that fighting could spread across the country.
The coalition’s strategy involves both political pressure and military action. The TPLF has seized Mekelle’s airport from federal police, prompting the suspension of air travel into the region. Ethiopian Airlines has canceled flights to and from Tigray, further isolating the area.
What Happens Next?
The Ethiopian military reported that dozens of TPLF fighters were killed in ongoing operations, with more detained and weapons seized. However, the situation remains fluid, and the possibility of a broader conflict looms large. Residents of Mekelle and surrounding areas are now living in constant fear, hoping for a swift resolution that restores peace and stability to the region.
As the conflict continues, international observers and humanitarian organizations are monitoring the situation closely, urging both sides to adhere to the terms of the peace agreement and to protect civilian lives. The next days will be critical in determining whether the violence can be contained or if it will spill over into other parts of Ethiopia.
Key facts
- Renewed fighting in Mekelle has shut down transport and internet services.
- Many residents are fleeing to Afar due to violence and displacement.
- The conflict violates a 2022 peace agreement between the federal government and the TPLF.
- Seven opposition groups have formed a coalition to challenge Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
- Ethiopian military reports casualties and weapon seizures, but the situation remains volatile.
Why it matters
The escalation threatens to destabilize Ethiopia’s fragile peace, displacing civilians and risking a wider regional conflict that could have significant humanitarian and geopolitical repercussions.
Frequently asked questions
What caused the renewed fighting in Mekelle?
The conflict stems from a breakdown of a 2022 peace agreement between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, with both sides accusing each other of violating the terms.
How has the conflict affected civilians?
Civilians have experienced disrupted internet and transport services, rising prices for essential goods, and displacement to neighboring regions such as Afar.
What is the role of the coalition of opposition groups?
The coalition, which includes the TPLF, Amhara Fano, and Oromo Liberation Army, aims to coordinate political opposition and military actions against the federal government.
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Residents of largest city in northern Ethiopia express fear after eruption of fighting”
