**Ethiopia Civil War Fears Escalate After Rebel Forces Seize Airport**
In a significant escalation of tensions in Ethiopia, forces from the northern Tigray region have reportedly taken control of the airport in the regional capital, Mekelle. This takeover has led the state-owned Ethiopian Airlines to suspend flights to Mekelle, Shire, and Axum, citing "the current situation in Tigray region" as the reason for the suspension. The airline expressed its apologies to customers and stated that it would provide updates on the resumption of services.
Local sources have indicated that the Tigrayan forces executed an overnight operation to seize the airport from federal police. This development marks a troubling turn of events nearly four years after a peace agreement was reached, ending a brutal two-year civil war that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Tigray regional government declared that its forces were entering a defensive war against federal troops. The government accused the Ethiopian federal government of initiating a ground offensive, which was preceded by air and artillery strikes across various parts of Tigray on Tuesday. As of now, the federal government has not issued a public response to the claims regarding the airport takeover or the alleged airstrikes.
The situation has further intensified following the formation of a coalition of seven armed groups, including the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which governs Tigray. This coalition, known as the Ethiopian Peoples' Forces Alliance for Survival, has expressed its intent to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government and establish a transitional administration. In a statement released on Sunday, the coalition accused the ruling Prosperity Party of enforcing a "dictatorial" regime and pushing the country towards disintegration.
In response to these developments, Abiy Ahmed's spokesperson, Billene Seyoum, accused the newly formed alliance of receiving financial support from neighboring Eritrea, an allegation that Eritrean authorities have consistently denied.
Ethiopia has faced ongoing challenges in maintaining stability in Tigray since the peace agreement in 2022. The fragile peace has been threatened by recent clashes and reported drone strikes, raising concerns about a potential resurgence of conflict. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has previously warned that Ethiopia is on the brink of renewed war.
The latest disruptions to Ethiopian Airlines' operations follow a previous suspension of flights to Tigray in January, amid reports of escalating military activity in the region. At that time, passengers received cancellation notices citing unplanned circumstances, while a security official linked the interruptions to ongoing fighting between federal and regional forces.
As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is watching closely, with fears that renewed conflict could further destabilize the region and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis that has already affected millions in Ethiopia.