**Title: Ethiopian Government-Aligned Group Claims Near Full Control of Tigray Region Amid Renewed Conflict**
**Date: October 2, 2026**
An armed group aligned with the Ethiopian government, known as the Tigray Peace Forces (TPF), has announced that it is close to achieving full control over the Tigray region, which has been embroiled in conflict for several years. The commander of the TPF made this declaration via social media on Thursday, asserting that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) forces have been largely defeated.
This claim comes in the wake of renewed fighting that erupted in September between Ethiopian federal forces, including the TPF, and an opposition alliance led by the TPLF. Residents in the region reported that government forces are advancing towards the capital city of Mekelle, which has been a focal point of the conflict.
TPLF chairperson Debretsion Gebremichael acknowledged on Thursday that federal forces have occupied certain areas of Tigray but vowed that his forces would launch counter-attacks “in due course.” The resurgence of hostilities marks a significant shift, as it follows the apparent breakdown of a peace agreement established in 2022 that had previously ended a brutal conflict between the Ethiopian federal government and Tigrayan forces.
The situation has been further complicated by the formation of a new alliance of seven armed and political groups, announced on September 20, which aims to challenge Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration and establish a more inclusive transitional government. This coalition includes the TPLF and has raised concerns about the potential for escalating violence in the region.
The African Union reported last month that Tigrayan forces had taken control of airports in Mekelle, Axum, and Shire, resulting in the detention of federal personnel and disrupting civilian air services. The conflict has also spread from southern Tigray into neighboring Amhara and Afar regions, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
Mohammed Taha Tawakel, the Ethiopia Bureau Chief for Al Jazeera Arabic, noted that the remarks from the TPF commander indicate a new phase in the ongoing conflict. While the federal army appears to be providing robust support to the TPF, the original TPLF still maintains control over several towns and has established a strong link with Eritrea along an 800-kilometer border.
This connection raises the possibility that the conflict may increasingly evolve into an internal struggle among Tigrayans themselves. Ethiopian military officials have accused Eritrea, Egypt, and Sudan of supporting the Tigrayan-led fighting alliance, leading to diplomatic tensions and reciprocal expulsions of diplomats between Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt. The African Union has urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid actions that could escalate tensions further.
Amidst the ongoing violence, the humanitarian situation in Tigray is deteriorating. The region is home to approximately six to seven million people who are facing severe hardships, including electricity shortages, internet blackouts, and a complete communication breakdown. As fears grow that fighting may spread to major urban centers, some civilians have begun to flee to the Amhara and Afar regions in search of safety.
Aid agencies, including the United Nations, are attempting to maintain a minimum level of humanitarian access by relocating some operations to newly secured areas. However, the ongoing conflict continues to pose significant challenges to delivering essential support to those in need.
As the situation develops, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution to the prolonged conflict that has caused immense suffering in the Tigray region and beyond.