Ethiopia's federal authorities and Tigrayan rebel leaders have traded accusations of a new offensive in the north, with reports of armed clashes and the capture of Mekelle and other regional airports. The competing narratives have revived concerns that a fragile peace could collapse into a wider conflict.
Airport seizures spark alarm
According to the BBC, local authorities seized Tigray's main airports following reports of recent drone strikes, while residents in Mekelle told the outlet that the airport was taken by forces loyal to the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). Hiiraan Online and France 24 corroborated that the Mekelle airport was seized, and Courthouse News reported clashes between rebel fighters and government troops at the site.
Tigrayan forces claim a full‑scale offensive
Multiple outlets, including Al Jazeera, Reuters, and The New York Times, reported that Tigrayan commanders announced a "full‑scale offensive" against the central government, saying they were responding to a perceived Ethiopian attack. The Washington Post noted that Tigray rebels framed their actions as a reaction to a "full‑scale offensive" by Addis Ababa, while the Ethiopian government countered that the rebels initiated the fighting.
"The new war with the Ethiopian government has begun," Tigrayan leaders told Reuters.
Government denies aggression, blames rebels
The federal side, as reported by the Washington Post and CNN, maintains that the Tigrayan forces launched the hostilities, accusing them of violating the 2023 peace agreement. Ethiopian officials warned of "destruction" if the rebels continue their advance, a warning echoed by Al Jazeera in a separate statement.
International and regional fallout
The United States, according to the Washington Examiner, condemned what it called the rebels' "poor decision" to launch the offensive, warning that it could push Ethiopia back into war. Analysts at Reuters warned that renewed fighting in Tigray could trigger a broader regional crisis, a concern also raised by the Saudi Gazette which highlighted the risk of spillover into neighboring states.
Air travel disrupted
In the wake of the airport takeovers, Ethiopian Airlines announced a suspension of flights to the Tigray region, as reported by CNBC Africa and AeroTime. The airline halted several routes pending clarification on the security situation, further isolating the region and complicating humanitarian access.
With both sides entrenched in a war of narratives and each accusing the other of breaching the peace deal, the situation remains volatile. Observers stress that without an immediate de‑escalation, the renewed hostilities could undo years of diplomatic effort and destabilize the Horn of Africa.
