In the Ethiopian region of Tigray, forces of the "People's Liberation Front of Tigray" (TPLF), which is opposed by the central government, have recaptured the regional capital Mekele. A “breathtaking victory” was achieved and the enemy suffered a humiliating loss, the TPLF said on Tuesday night. According to unconfirmed media reports, representatives of the central government had left the city in a rush at the weekend. Residents celebrated the arrival of the rebel forces on the streets on Monday evening. The TPLF should also control the Mekele airport again. Despite a unilateral ceasefire proclaimed by the government on Monday evening, the former TPLF regional government announced that the fight will continue until the entire area is under its control.

Christian Meier

Editor in politics.

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    At the beginning of November last year, a simmering conflict between the TPLF, which ruled Tigray, and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's central government had turned into armed conflict.

    Ethiopian troops marched into the northern region, supported by ethnic militias from the neighboring regions of Amhara and Afar and, above all, by soldiers from neighboring Eritrea, with whom Abiy had made peace in 2018.

    After six weeks, the Prime Minister declared the capture of Mekele and the victory over the TPLF, and a transitional government was installed in Tigray.

    Atrocities committed against civilians

    In the hinterland of the mountainous region, however, the fighting continued. The TPLF shifted to guerrilla warfare. According to their own statements, their forces have achieved large gains in terrain in the past few weeks and captured weapons and stocks from the enemy. According to observers, the TPLF is attracting young people as reports of atrocities against civilians increase.

    Last week the Ethiopian military admitted they were responsible for an air strike on a busy market in Togoga, which killed 64 people and injured 180 people. According to the military, fighters were the target of the attack. Shortly afterwards, three members of the Doctors Without Borders organization were killed in unknown circumstances; this means that the number of people killed by aid organizations since the beginning of the conflict has been at least eleven. The total number of deaths is estimated at many thousands. More precise information is not available, as Tigray is still largely sealed off. The United Nations estimates that more than five million people are in need of humanitarian aid.

    UN Secretary General António Guterres called Prime Minister Abiy on Monday evening. The situation in Tigray was "extremely worrying," he said afterwards. The US, UK and Ireland have requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting on the conflict - it would be the first.