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Rebel forces from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) have withdrawn temporarily from Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia’s Tigray region, citing safety concerns for civilians as fighting moves elsewhere. The withdrawal follows recent clashes between federal government forces and allied fighters with TPLF in regions like Tigray, Afar, and Amhara, potentially destabilizing the Horn of Africa further. US officials are urging all sides to exercise restraint ahead of a diplomatic meeting scheduled in Egypt on Sunday involving leaders from neighboring countries affected by the conflict.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-04,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On October 3, 2026, Ethiopian federal forces and allied militias reclaimed control of Mekelle, the capital of Tigray in northern Ethiopia, after weeks of fighting. The rebels from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) had initially seized the city in early September but began withdrawing on October 3 as government troops advanced. Alula Aba Nega Airport, one of three airfields captured by TPLF forces at the start of the conflict, was recaptured without resistance. The TPLF leaders and fighters were seen retreating northward, leaving Mekelle largely unprotected. Local residents expressed concern about looting and lawlessness due to the absence of security personnel in government offices and police stations. This development is significant as it marks a major shift in the conflict and raises concerns that renewed fighting could destabilize the Horn of Africa region, potentially involving neighboring countries like Eritrea and Sudan.
Written for “Ethiopia Tigray Conflict” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 16 other(s) covering the same event.
- Published
Rebel forces in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region have said they have temporarily withdrawn from the regional capital, Mekelle, as fighting with the national army moves towards the city.
asserted
fighting → publish → city
The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which has been running the region, said its decision to relocate was made because of concerns about risks to civilians.
asserted
decision → run → civilians
Two residents in Mekelle told the BBC that pro-government forces now control the city and TPLF forces have abandoned it.
asserted
forces → tell → it
One resident also said mobile phone services appear to have resumed in parts of the city.
asserted
services → say → city
Fighting has erupted in recent weeks between the TPLF and federal government forces alongside allied fighters in parts of Ethiopia's northern regions of Tigray, Afar and Amhara.
asserted
Fighting → erupt → Tigray
The development marks a major shift in the conflict and raises concerns among observers that the fighting could further destabilise the Horn of Africa, potentially drawing in neighbouring countries.
uncertain
fighting → mark → countries
The US Department of State called for "restraint" and "dialogue" on all sides ahead of a diplomatic meeting about the conflict in Egypt on Sunday with leaders from some of Ethiopia's neighbours.
asserted
Department → call → neighbours
Tigray residents have been trying to recover from a devastating two-year civil war that ended in 2022 when the African Union (AU) brokered a peace deal, known as the Pretoria Agreement, between the two sides.
However, in the last six months there has been a worsening of relations, with both sides accusing each other of violating the agreement.
asserted
sides → try → agreement
Last month, the TPLF joined six other armed movements, including the Fano militia from Amhara, to form an alliance whose stated objective is to remove Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government from power.
asserted
objective → join → power
The civil war was one of the most deadly conflicts this century - the AU's mediator estimated some 600,000 people died as the fighting drove the region to the precipice of famine.
asserted
fighting → estimate → famine
On Friday, neighbours Ethiopia and Eritrea severed diplomatic relations with each other after Addis Ababa accused Asmara of supporting a new rebel alliance - an allegation that it denied.
asserted
it → sever → that
Ethiopia has also accused Egypt of supporting the rebels, leading to the expulsion of an Egyptian diplomat, which Cairo responded to by ordering an Ethiopian embassy official to leave within the same period.
asserted
Cairo → accuse → period
The United Nations has warned that the deteriorating security situation in northern Ethiopia is severely disrupting humanitarian work and has called on all sides to guarantee safe and unhindered access to people in need.
asserted
situation → warn → need
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