Pro-government forces claim to retake Mekelle airport in Ethiopia’s Tigray region

ADDIS ABABA (Somaliguardian) – A militia group allied to Ethiopia’s federal government said they had recaptured ​the main airport in the capital of ‌the northern Tigray region, an opposition stronghold. “We have taken full control of Mekelle Alula Aba ​Nega Airport. We are currently clearing ​the city of Mekelle,” the pro-government ⁠Tigray Peace Forces militia […]

Pro-government forces claim to retake Mekelle airport in Ethiopia’s Tigray region

ADDIS ABABA (Somaliguardian) – A militia group allied to Ethiopia’s federal government said they had recaptured ​the main airport in the capital of ‌the northern Tigray region, an opposition stronghold.

“We have taken full control of Mekelle Alula Aba ​Nega Airport. We are currently clearing ​the city of Mekelle,” the pro-government ⁠Tigray Peace Forces militia posted on X ​late on Friday.

Reuters could not immediately verify ​the assertion. The Prime Minister’s Office did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

The taking ​of Mekelle by pro-government forces would be ​a major setback for an opposition alliance led by ‌the ⁠region’s ruling party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which launched a big offensive last week against the Ethiopian military.

The TPLF ​could not ​immediately be ⁠reached for comment.

Ethiopian federal forces and allied fighters have made ​a quick counterattack into Tigray, but ​analysts ⁠say the fighting – the worst escalation since a 2020-2022 civil war – threatens to widen ⁠into ​a wider regional conflict.

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