Residents of Mekelle reported that Ethiopian National Defence Force units and allied militiamen are now within about 30 km of the city, the northern stronghold of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Two locals, who asked not to be named for safety reasons, said shops and banks had shut down as the forces closed in.
Rapid advances and new threats
Since combat erupted last week, pro‑government forces have made swift gains across Tigray, capturing a town roughly 75 km south of Mekelle, according to the Tigray Peace Forces militia. The TPLF’s chairperson, Debretsion Gebremichael, acknowledged that federal troops now occupy parts of the region and warned that his fighters will launch a counter‑attack “in due course.”
In a stark statement, he added, “We should ensure that Tigray is their graveyard, not their playground.” The rhetoric underscores the heightened danger of a broader clash.
Diplomatic fallout fuels tension
Compounding the military surge, Ethiopia announced on Thursday that it is closing its embassy in Eritrea, accusing the neighboring nation of “direct and indirect acts of hostility and belligerence.” Eritrea responded by severing all diplomatic ties with Ethiopia. Both countries fought a border war from 1998‑2000 and only restored relations in 2018.
Ethiopia’s government also expelled an Egyptian diplomat, prompting Cairo to expel an Ethiopian embassy counsellor in retaliation. The African Union Commission has called on Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to exercise “maximum restraint.”
Possible drone strike on Addis Ababa
Late Wednesday night, explosions were heard in Addis Ababa. A source linked to the opposition alliance claimed the blasts were the result of drone attacks targeting the Ethiopian National Defence Force headquarters and other sites. Reuters could not independently verify the incident, but if confirmed it would mark the first known drone strike by anti‑government forces on the capital, which lies hundreds of kilometres from the northern front.
Analysts warn that the conflict could spill over into neighboring Sudan, which has been embroiled in a three‑year civil war, and further destabilize a region already contested by multiple powers seeking influence.
Regional powers and accusations
Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting the TPLF‑led alliance, a claim each of those states has denied. Eritrea, which fought alongside Ethiopia against the TPLF during the 2020‑2022 war, now fears Ethiopia may attempt to seize its port of Assab by force. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said Ethiopia seeks sea access through peaceful means.
The situation remains fluid, and the international community is watching closely as the risk of a wider regional war grows.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
