Ethiopian federal forces have taken control of the Tigray regional capital, Mekelle, while leaders from neighboring nations convene in Egypt to discuss the escalating conflict.
Key facts
- •Ethiopian federal forces entered Mekelle on Saturday, October 3, 2026, without encountering resistance.
- •The TPLF withdrew from the capital to prevent the destruction of the city, according to reports.
- •Fighting between federal forces and the TPLF resumed on September 23, 2026.
- •Leaders from Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan met in Alamein on October 4, 2026, to discuss the conflict.
- •Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt of backing the TPLF, a claim all three countries deny.
Ethiopian federal forces established full control over Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region, on Saturday, October 3, 2026, following the withdrawal of Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) forces. As federal troops began patrolling the city and manning key institutions, leaders from Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan gathered in the Egyptian city of Alamein to address the conflict, which has sparked fears of a return to the widespread civil war experienced between 2020 and 2022.
Military Developments in Tigray
The current hostilities began on September 23, 2026, when TPLF fighters seized the airport in Mekelle, leading to the suspension of flights to Mekelle, Axum, and Shire by Ethiopian Airlines. Following a federal counter-offensive, TPLF leaders and troops abandoned Mekelle on Saturday to avoid the city's destruction, a tactic previously employed during the 2020-2022 war. By Sunday, October 4, communications were restored in the city for the first time in over a week, though businesses remained closed as residents expressed concerns regarding security and potential looting.
Regional Diplomatic Summit
The meeting in Alamein, held on the sidelines of an African Business Forum, brought together Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Sudanese Armed Forces head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Ahead of the talks, President al-Sisi advocated for dialogue over confrontation, citing concerns that the violence in Ethiopia could spill across borders. Ethiopia has previously accused Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt of supporting the TPLF, allegations that all three nations have denied.
Context of Regional Tensions
The summit occurs against a backdrop of broader regional friction, including a long-standing dispute between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia regarding the operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile. Additionally, Eritrea, which shares a border with Tigray, has expressed concerns regarding Ethiopian territorial ambitions. Analysts suggest Eritrea’s involvement in the conflict is driven by a desire to maintain a buffer between the fighting and its own border.
Timeline
- September 23, 2026TPLF fighters seized the airport in Mekelle, prompting the suspension of flights.
- October 3, 2026TPLF forces withdrew from Mekelle, and Ethiopian federal forces entered the city.
- October 4, 2026Leaders from Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan met in Alamein to discuss the conflict.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Hindu, Taipei Times.
