Ethiopian federal forces were in full control of the Tigray rebels’ regional capital, a local journalist said on Sunday, while Ethiopia’s regional rivals gathered in Egypt to discuss the risk of a wider war.
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and federal forces began fighting again on September 23, sparking fears of a return to the devastating civil war of 2020-2022.
The presidents of Egypt, Somalia, Sudan and Eritrea — all of whom have difficult relations with Ethiopia — met in the Egyptian coastal city of El-Alamein on Sunday.
They called for regional disputes to be resolved through “peaceful means”, while stressing respect for international law and “non-interference in the internal affairs of states” in the Horn of Africa, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency.
Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of directly backing the Tigray rebels, with the added support of Sudan and Egypt, which all three countries deny.
In a counter-offensive, Ethiopian forces have pushed deep into rebel-held territory, entering the regional capital, Mekelle, on Saturday without a fight, as TPLF leaders and troops abandoned the city.
On Sunday, federal troops were patrolling Mekelle and manning key institutions, a local journalist told AFP, as communications were restored for the first time in more than a week.
“We have taken control of Mekelle and we are marching forward,” a commander with a pro-government militia told AFP.
Businesses and shops remained closed. Owners had moved stock to safer locations ahead of time, fearing looting and vandalism.
“There are no police,” one resident told AFP, speaking like others on condition of anonymity because of the uncertainty of the situation.
“Last night, we had to organise ourselves and take care of security.”
“The fact that the war is beginning to lower in intensity brings some immediate relief,” said Tewodros, another resident who did not want to give his full name.
“But as seems to be spreading across the region, I’m scared it will drag on,” he added.
There are growing fears the fighting could spill over the border into Eritrea.
