Tigrayan leaders say new war with Ethiopian government has begun, as fighting erupts

Live updates

1. 11d ago

   Tigray Rebels Form Alliance Against Abiy Ahmed as War Persists

   Ethiopia faces a severe security escalation as seven armed factions unite under a coalition to challenge Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Tigray People's Liberation Front leader Debretsion Gebremichael stated on Tigrayan television that regional forces are actively fighting federal troops and claiming tactical victories despite losing control of major towns. This coalition represents a major escalation following the breakdown of regional peace agreements. Sudan and Egypt are monitoring the unfolding developments as fighting persists across multiple fronts.

   Why it matters

   The formation of a united front marks a strategic shift for insurgent factions across Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia that previously fought independently and sometimes clashed with each other. Their stated goal is to overthrow the federal government and establish a new authority. This coalition threatens to destabilize Addis Ababa if the member groups maintain political and military cohesion.

   What is confirmed

   • Seven Ethiopian armed groups operating across Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia have formed a united front against Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
   • TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael stated that the northern state remains at war and forces are continuing to fight federal troops.
   • The TPLF leader vowed to continue fighting federal forces despite losing control of major towns.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The newly formed alliance aims to overthrow the government and establish a new authority.
   • These developments are attracting the attention of Sudan and Egypt.

   What to watch next

   • Whether the coalition of seven armed groups maintains its political and military cohesion.
   • Any official response from the federal government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed regarding the united front.
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. www.alestiklal.net — After Fighting Each Other: Why Did Seven Ethiopian Armed ...
   2. www.africanews.com — Tigray is still at war, rebel leader warns, claiming tactical ...
   3. www.europesays.com — Tigray rebel leader vows to continue fighting Ethiopian forces
   4. www.warsintheworld.com — Ethiopia: Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) rebel ...
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2. 14d ago

   Tigray Rebels Urged to Disarm as Conflict Escalates

   A federal-backed administration in Ethiopia's Tigray region demands that rebel fighters lay down their weapons following the capture of the regional capital. A rebel commander vows to continue fighting government-allied forces after the collapse of the four-year-old peace agreement. This escalation follows summer tensions and accusations by Tigrayan authorities aligned with the Tigray People's Liberation Front that the federal government prepared for war. Residents in Mekelle try to maintain daily routines amid ongoing instability and economic strain.

   Why it matters

   The standoff threatens to ignite a wider regional conflict after the November 2022 Pretoria Peace Agreement broke down over unresolved political disputes. Federal troops and government-allied forces seized control of the northern regional capital, setting off the latest round of fighting. A new caretaker administration now oversees the area while pushing for total rebel disarmament.

   What is confirmed

   • A rebel commander pledged to continue fighting government-allied forces who seized Ethiopia's Tigray capital.
   • An official in Tigray's new federal-backed administration urged rebel fighters to lay down their weapons.
   • Tigrayan authorities declared the November 2022 Pretoria Peace Agreement had collapsed.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The current standoff in the Tigray region could ignite a regional war.

   What to watch next

   • Further official announcements from the federal-backed administration regarding disarmament deadlines
   • Reports on troop movements or security conditions inside Mekelle and surrounding areas
   Sources used for this update (3)

   1. www.aljazeera.com — Tigray rebels urged to disarm as commander vows to fight ...
   2. jamestown.org — Standoff in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region Could Ignite Regional War
   3. www.2news.com — Ethiopia's Tigray rebels urged to disarm as commander vows to ...
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3. 17d ago

   Tigray Rebels Urged to Disarm Amid Renewed Conflict Risks

   Tigrayan rebels face demands to lay down their weapons from a federal-backed administration in the region following the collapse of a four-year-old peace agreement. Residents in Mekelle attempt to resume daily routines even as economic hardship and instability persist under the threat of a wider conflict. Fighting erupted in September between Ethiopian government forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front after federal troops captured the regional capital. Tigrayan leadership declares that a new war has begun due to unresolved political disputes stemming from the previous accord, while an official in the new caretaker administration pushes for disarmament.

   Why it matters

   Renewed hostilities shatter a peace deal established four years ago, plunging northern Ethiopia back into instability. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed previously announced a caretaker government aimed at restoring services and organizing elections within six months under federal oversight. The resurgence of combat highlights deep-seated political grievances that remained unaddressed by the initial agreement, raising risks of regional spillover.

   What is confirmed

   • Fighting broke out in September in Ethiopia's Tigray region between Ethiopian government forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front.
   • An official in Tigray's new federal-backed administration urged rebel fighters to lay down their weapons Friday.
   • A rebel commander called for continued resistance.

   What to watch next

   • Any official military movements or clashes between federal forces and Tigray People's Liberation Front fighters
   • Developments regarding the six-month timeline for elections under the federal-backed caretaker government
   • Reactions from regional actors regarding the risk of wider spillover
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. warmonit.com — Ethiopia – Tigray: what is happening now? | WarMonit
   2. www.aljazeera.com — Tigray resumes daily life amid fears of wider war | News | Al ...
   3. warontherocks.com — Fighting in Ethiopia and the Risk of Regional Spillover
   4. www.yahoo.com — Ethiopia's Tigray rebels urged to disarm as commander ... - Yahoo
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4. 20d ago

   Tigrayan Rebels Declare New Conflict as Ethiopian Forces Advance

   Renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia has shattered a four-year-old peace agreement after Ethiopian federal troops captured the regional capital of Mekelle from rebel forces. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office announced the establishment of a Tigray caretaker government intended to restore public services, assist displaced populations, and organize elections within six months under federal supervision. However, Tigrayan leaders assert that a new war has officially begun as the region slides back into conflict due to unaddressed political issues from the previous peace deal.

   Why it matters

   The breakdown of the peace agreement follows years of incomplete political settlements after the end of the civil war in Tigray four years ago. The current military escalation threatens regional stability as federal troops expand their control and clash with a patchwork of rebel groups. The newly formed administration faces immediate challenges in managing the humanitarian crisis and organizing elections under federal oversight.

   What is confirmed

   • Ethiopian army troops captured the city of Mekelle from rebel forces earlier this month.
   • Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office stated that a new Tigray caretaker government will restore public services, help displaced people return, and prepare for elections within six months under federal oversight.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Tigrayan rebels claim a new war has begun following the resumption of fighting.

   What to watch next

   • Implementation of the Tigray caretaker government and its progress toward holding elections within six months
   • Further military movements and operational developments between federal troops and rebel groups in the region
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. www.aljazeera.com — Ethiopia | Today's latest from Al Jazeera
   2. www.latimes.com — Ethiopia sets up Tigray caretaker government as ex-fighters ...
   3. gbcode.rthk.hk — Ethiopia's Tigray rebels say new war has begun - RTHK
   4. www.europesays.com — A broken peace deal is reigniting war in Ethiopia’s Tigray ...
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5. 23d ago

   Renewed Fighting and Eritrean Deployments Reignite Tigray War

   Renewed fighting between Ethiopian federal troops and Tigrayan forces has erupted in northern Ethiopia, driven by unresolved issues from the 2022 Pretoria Agreement. Ethiopian federal forces have expanded their control in the Tigray region and retaken the capital of Mekelle. Meanwhile, the conflict threatens the key trade corridor to Djibouti while disrupting telecommunications and commercial aviation. Tensions are escalating rapidly as Ethiopia and Eritrea trade accusations of aggression, raising international fears that the internal conflict could widen into a regional war.

   Why it matters

   The resurgence of combat stems from unaddressed grievances left over from the peace deal that ended the previous war. Analysts warn that the Horn of Africa remains on edge as external actors and regional allies weigh involvement. Addis Ababa has long sought access to the Red Sea, adding strategic tension to the cross-border friction with Eritrea.

   What is confirmed

   • Fighting has erupted between Ethiopian federal troops and Tigrayan forces.
   • Federal forces have retaken control of Mekelle, the Tigray capital.
   • Ethiopia and Eritrea are trading accusations of aggression and war.
   • The conflict threatens the trade corridor to Djibouti and disrupts commercial aviation and telecommunications.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Eritrean troops have deployed in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region.
   • Eritrea denies troop movement inside northern Ethiopia.
   • Addis Ababa may use the opportunity to seize access to the Red Sea.

   What to watch next

   • Direct military engagement between Ethiopian and Eritrean forces
   • Further diplomatic intervention and de-escalation calls from the United States and international partners
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. www.foxnews.com — Fox News - Breaking News Updates | Latest News Headlines | Photos...
   2. www.alestiklal.net — How Clashes Are Escalating in Tigray and the Conflict Is ...
   3. www.afp.com — Eritrean troops deploy in Ethiopia's Tigray region | AFP.com
   4. www.dw.com — Eritrean troops in Ethiopia raise fears of a regional war
   5. www.africanews.com — Ethiopia and Eritrea trade war accusations as regional ...
   6. www.foxnews.com — African nations on ‘knife’s edge’ as US embassy warns Americans of long-range attacks
   7. responsiblestatecraft.org — High on wins in Tigray, Ethiopia now has Eritrea in its crosshairs
   8. help.naver.com — Futures Flat As Oil Rebounds After Trump's "Energy Ceasefire" Unravels, Memory Stocks Slide | ZeroHedge
   9. www.csmonitor.com — How soaring bond yields pressure big economies like the US, France - CSMonitor.com
   10. www.aljazeera.com — Ethiopian forces expand control in Tigray as militia claims ...
   11. www.csmonitor.com — A broken peace deal is reigniting war in Ethiopia’s Tigray region
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6. 31d ago

   Ethiopian forces retake Tigray capital amid renewed fighting

   Fighting has erupted between Ethiopian federal troops and Tigrayan forces. Federal forces have retaken control of Mekelle, the Tigray capital. The conflict threatens the trade corridor to Djibouti and has disrupted commercial aviation and telecommunications.

   Why it matters

   The conflict in northern Ethiopia has drawn in regional and global powers. A fragile peace deal and deepening rivalries with neighbouring states have contributed to the renewed fighting. The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) leads the rebel alliance.

   What is confirmed

   • Ethiopian federal forces have retaken control of Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region.
   • The conflict has disrupted commercial aviation and cut telecommunications.
   • The conflict threatens the trade corridor to Djibouti.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Washington has picked a side in Ethiopia's new war.

   What to watch next

   • Neighbouring countries' potential intervention
   • Further escalation of the conflict
   • Humanitarian impact on civilians
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. www.thenationalnews.com — Why has war returned to Ethiopia?
   2. allafrica.com — Ethiopia Retakes Tigray Capital Mekelle - allAfrica.com
   3. www.yahoo.com — Washington has picked a side in Ethiopia's new war - Yahoo
   4. www.aljazeera.com — Will Ethiopia’s neighbours intervene as Tigray war escalates?
   5. stluciachronicle.com — Will Ethiopia’s neighbours intervene as Tigray war escalates? - St. Lucia Chronicle – Daily St Lucia ....
   6. www.africanews.com — Ethiopia's federal forces retake Tigrayan capital Mekelle
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7. 33d ago

   Tigrayan leaders say new war with Ethiopian government has begun

   Fighting has erupted in northern Ethiopia between federal troops and a rebel alliance led by Tigrayan forces. The conflict has disrupted commercial aviation, cut telecommunications, and threatens the trade corridor to Djibouti. Tigrayan forces initially gained ground, seizing airports, but federal forces are now closing in on Mekelle. The conflict has drawn in regional and global powers.

   Why it matters

   The renewed fighting is part of a larger conflict in the Horn of Africa, with diplomatic efforts failing to stop it. The last Tigray war saw Ethiopia and Eritrea on the same side, but they have now cut diplomatic ties. The conflict risks expanding into a regional war.

   What is confirmed

   • Ethiopia and Eritrea have cut diplomatic ties.
   • The conflict has disrupted commercial aviation and cut telecommunications across much of Tigray.
   • Tigrayan forces have seized airports in Mekelle, Aksum, and Shire.
   • Federal forces are closing in on the capital, Mekelle.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Tigray rebel groups are forcibly recruiting boys as young as 15.

   What to watch next

   • The advance of federal forces on Mekelle
   • International diplomatic efforts to stop the conflict
   • The humanitarian impact on civilians
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. www.rfi.fr — Ethiopia's new rebel war redraws alliances across the Horn of Africa - RFI
   2. www.theguardian.com — Tigray rebel groups ‘forcibly recruiting boys as young as 15 ...
   3. www.newyorker.com — The Fighting in Ethiopia Is Part of a Far Bigger Conflict
   4. www.straitstimes.com — Explainer-Why renewed fighting in Ethiopia's Tigray risks a regional war
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8. 35d ago

   Tigrayan Alliance Launches Multi-Front War Against Ethiopian Government

   Tigrayan forces and a new seven-group alliance, including the TPLF, have launched an offensive to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Fighting has expanded from Tigray into the Afar and Amhara regions, with Tigrayan fighters seizing airports in Mekelle, Aksum, and Shire. The conflict has disrupted commercial aviation, cut telecommunications across much of Tigray, and threatened the trade corridor to Djibouti. While Tigrayan forces initially gained ground, federal forces are now reportedly closing in on the capital, Mekelle, after a series of drone strikes and ground advances.

   Why it matters

   This escalation shatters the 2022 Pretoria peace deal that ended a brutal civil war between the TPLF and federal forces. The current conflict is distinct due to a new coalition of former enemies fighting together against the central government. The instability threatens to destabilize the wider Horn of Africa.

   What is confirmed

   • Tigrayan forces seized control of airports in Mekelle, Aksum, and Shire.
   • Fighting has spread beyond Tigray into the Afar and Amhara regions.
   • The TPLF joined a seven-group Alliance for Survival aimed at overthrowing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
   • Ethiopia and Eritrea have severed diplomatic ties.
   • Commercial aviation in northern Ethiopia has been suspended.
   • Telecommunications have been cut across much of Tigray.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Eritrea provided financial backing to the Alliance for Survival.
   • Explosions occurred near military installations in Addis Ababa.

   What to watch next

   • Whether federal forces successfully capture Mekelle
   • The status of the trade corridor to Djibouti
   • Further diplomatic shifts in the Horn of Africa
   Sources used for this update (14)

   1. news.qq.com — 提格雷夺控三机场并跨区作战，埃塞俄比亚北部冲突升级
   2. bahamasspectator.com — Is Ethiopia on the verge of another civil war as fighting erupts in Tigray? - Bahamas Spectator – Baham....
   3. www.egyptindependent.com — War has returned to Ethiopia’s Tigray — and former enemies are now fighting together. What changed? -....
   4. www.aljazeera.com — Is Ethiopia on the verge of another civil war as fighting ...
   5. theconversation.com — Ethiopia is sliding back toward war – a look at what is driving the fighting and why it matters
   6. www.aljazeera.com — Fighting in Ethiopia intensifies: What’s the latest? | Explainer News
   7. www.cfr.org — Latest News – Conflict in Ethiopia | Global Conflict Tracker
   8. see.news — Ethiopia’s Tigray Crisis Escalates as Fighting Spreads Beyond ...
   9. www.bbc.co.uk — Addis Ababa explosions: Blasts heard in Ethiopia's capital after drone flights banned - BBC News
   10. www.thereporterethiopia.com — “New Fronts, Unstable Pacts”: | The Reporter Ethiopia
   11. allafrica.com — Ethiopia: Tensions Return to Tigray - Fears of a New Civil War
   12. addisinsight.net — Ethiopia’s New War: The First 11 Days
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9. 45d ago

   Tigrayan Leaders Declare New War as Fighting Erupts in Ethiopia

   Tigrayan leaders state that a new war with the Ethiopian government has started following the outbreak of armed clashes. Fighters have seized control of airports in the northern Tigray region, prompting Ethiopian Airlines to suspend flights to three northern Tigray airports, including the capital Mekelle. The Tigrayan armed forces have been ordered into defensive combat. This escalation follows four years after the conclusion of the previous civil war fought between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and federal forces.

   Why it matters

   This development shatters the fragile peace established after years of devastating civil conflict between federal forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front. The seizure of critical aviation infrastructure and the official suspension of commercial flights indicate a rapid military escalation. Observers and analysts are closely tracking whether this localized airport takeover will trigger a broader national crisis.

   What is confirmed

   • Tigrayan leaders stated that a new war with the Ethiopian government has begun as fighting erupted.
   • Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to three northern Tigray airports after local forces and fighters seized the airport in the Tigray capital of Mekelle.
   • Tigrayan armed forces were ordered into defensive combat.
   • The fighting erupts four years after the end of Ethiopia's civil war between the Tigray People's Liberation Front and federal forces.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The TPLF moved on critical sites after heading a new alliance, signaling a new phase of the next war.

   What to watch next

   • Direct confirmation of federal troop movements and official government responses to the airport seizures.
   • Status of civilian safety and humanitarian access in the Tigray region following flight suspensions.
   Sources used for this update (9)

   1. Reuters — Tigrayan leaders say new war with Ethiopian government has begun, as fighting erupts
   2. Al Jazeera — Ethiopian Airlines suspends flights to three northern Tigray airports
   3. Addis Standard — News Alert: Tigray says armed forces ordered into ‘defensive combat’; reports of fighting emerge
   4. apnews.com — Ethiopian Airlines cancels flights to Tigray capital as soldiers take over airport
   5. Yahoo — Ethiopia's Tigray rebels seize airports, clash with govt forces
   6. BBC — Ethiopia's Mekelle airport in Tigray seized by local forces, residents tell the BBC.
   7. The Hill — Ethiopian Airlines cancels flights to Tigray capital as fighters take over airport
   8. ACLED — Ethiopia Conflict Alert: The TPLF Move On Critical Sites After Heading a New Alliance. A new phase of the next war?
   9. politicstoday.org — Tigray Leaders Say New War With Ethiopian Government Has Begun as Fighting Erupts
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