Ethiopian government forces and allied militias have regained control of Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region, according to three sources who spoke to reporter on Sunday.
The development represents a major setback for the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF)-led opposition alliance, which the northern region.
The TPLF said in a statement posted on Facebook that its forces had withdrawn from Mekelle, adding that the regional government would temporarily relocate and operate from another location.
A source close to the pro-government Tigray Peace Forces said its fighters entered central Mekelle on Saturday afternoon, followed by Ethiopian federal troops.
A humanitarian source and a resident of Mekelle, who requested anonymity, also confirmed that government forces were in control of the city.
The Ethiopian Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The loss of Mekelle is a major blow to the TPLF-led alliance, which launched a major offensive against Ethiopian federal forces on September 23.
Federal troops and allied fighters have since mounted a rapid counter-offensive into Tigray.
Analysts say the renewed fighting, described as the worst escalation since the 2020–2022 civil war, could trigger a wider regional conflict.
The Ethiopian government severed diplomatic ties with Eritrea last week, accusing it of supporting the TPLF-led alliance alongside Sudan and Egypt.
Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt have denied the allegations.
