**Tigrayan Forces Seize Airport, Ethiopian Airlines Suspends Flights Amid Rising Tensions**
Mekelle, Tigray Region – In a significant escalation of hostilities, Tigrayan forces have reportedly taken control of the main airport in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, according to multiple local sources. This development has prompted Ethiopian Airlines to suspend all flights to the region, raising concerns about the potential for renewed conflict in an area still reeling from the aftermath of a devastating civil war.
The seizure of Mekelle airport occurred overnight, as confirmed by three local sources, including a security official. The airport's capture marks a troubling turn in the already strained relations between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the political party governing Tigray. The TPLF and the Ethiopian federal government have been at odds since the outbreak of civil war in November 2020, a conflict that lasted until late 2022 and resulted in significant loss of life and humanitarian crises.
Ethiopian Airlines announced the suspension of flights to Mekelle, Shire, and Axum via social media, citing the "current situation in Tigray region" as the reason for the halt. The airline did not provide further details regarding the operational impacts or future plans for resuming flights. As of now, the situation in Shire and Axum remains unverified.
The recent airport takeover follows the formation of an alliance by the TPLF and six other armed groups across Ethiopia, which was announced just days prior. This coalition aims to challenge Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government, further complicating an already volatile political landscape. Abiy's tenure began in 2018, marking the end of nearly three decades of TPLF dominance in Ethiopian politics.
The peace agreement signed in Pretoria in November 2022 was intended to bring an end to the conflict, but both sides have accused each other of violating its terms. Tensions escalated further when, in May, the TPLF regained control of the regional government from the interim administration that had been established under the peace deal.
In a recent statement, Billene Seyoum, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Abiy, indicated that the newly formed alliance of armed groups has been receiving financial support from Eritrea, Ethiopia's neighboring country and historical rival. However, Eritrea has consistently denied these allegations.
Political analysts, such as Jawar Mohammed, suggest that while the TPLF's recent actions may appear aggressive, they may not indicate a readiness for full-scale conflict. Instead, he speculates that the TPLF could be attempting to "flex muscles" to draw international attention and encourage a stronger activation of the Pretoria Agreement.
Amid these developments, the Ethiopian military has reportedly conducted several drone strikes against Tigrayan forces in recent months. The situation took a concerning turn when a drone strike on a humanitarian convoy operated by Catholic Relief Services resulted in the destruction of a truck carrying over 41,000 tons of food aid intended for internally displaced persons in Tigray. The U.S. government condemned this attack and called for a thorough investigation, although it did not assign responsibility for the strike.
The federal government has not publicly commented on the drone strikes or the recent escalation in tensions. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community watches closely, wary of the potential for renewed violence in a region that has already suffered immensely.
The ongoing conflict and its ramifications underscore the fragility of peace in Ethiopia, with the Tigray region at the center of a complex web of political, ethnic, and military dynamics. As both sides navigate this precarious landscape, the future of the region remains uncertain, with the specter of renewed warfare looming large.