The cities in question are Dessie and Kombolcha and they are located north of the capital Addis Ababa and are located along an important motorway to the city.

They were taken over by the TPLF and some other rebel groups earlier this autumn - a step that led to great concern that the rebels would take over the capital.

According to a Twitter statement posted on Monday by the Ethiopian government's communications department, the two cities have been "liberated" by members of the combined security forces.

The statement also claims that several other places on the eastern front have been taken back.

On Sunday, however, the TPLF denied information that the Ethiopian government was making progress.

"The enemy has become stronger, so we must also be strong and intensify our struggle," said TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael in a statement.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, has previously taken the front himself to lead the Ethiopian army in the fight against forces from the Tigray region.

The conflict in Ethiopia began in November 2020, when government forces captured Tigray.

It took a complete turnaround this summer when TPLF took several mounts in, among others, Tigray.

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Background to the Ethiopian conflict Photo: Jeff Wheeler / AP / TT