Pro-government forces say they retake airport in Ethiopia's Tigray region

A militia allied to Ethiopia's federal government claims to have recaptured Mekelle Alula Aba Nega Airport in the Tigray region capital. The pro-government Tigray Peace Forces posted on X late Friday that they have taken full control and are clearing the city. Reuters could not verify the claim, and the Prime Minister's Office did not comment. If confirmed, the capture would be a major setback for the opposition alliance led by the Tigray People's Liberation Front, which launched a major offensive last week.

A militia group allied to Ethiopia's federal government, the Tigray Peace Forces, claimed on Friday to have recaptured the main airport in Mekelle, the capital of the northern Tigray region. The militia posted on X that it had taken full control of Mekelle Alula Aba Nega Airport and was currently clearing the city. Reuters could not immediately verify the assertion, and the Prime Minister's Office did not respond to a request for comment. If confirmed, the capture of Mekelle would be a major setback for an opposition alliance led by the region's ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which launched a large offensive against the Ethiopian military the previous week. The TPLF could not be reached for comment. Analysts cited in the report say the fighting, the worst escalation since the 2020-2022 civil war, threatens to widen into a broader regional conflict.