Ethiopian military and pro-government forces have recaptured the main airport in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, as government forces advanced into the northern region after more than a week of intense fighting. Fighting broke out last week between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and its allies, breaking up the fragile Pretoria Agreement, a peace agreement signed in November 2022. 3 itemsend of listThe fighting has stoked fears that it could escalate into a broader regional conflict, potentially drawing in neighboring countries in the Horn of Africa. Here’s what you need to know about the latest developments: What’s the latest on the fighting? Ethiopian troops regained control of the Alula Aba Nega airport in Mekelle, a source with knowledge of developments in the city and a humanitarian source told Reuters news agency. The airport, about 10 km (6 mi) east of central Mekelle, was one of three airfields in the region that were taken by rebel forces at the start of fighting on 23 September. A third source, a Mekelle resident who asked not to be identified for security reasons, confirmed that government forces had retaken the airport, adding that gunshots could be heard outside the city center. This source reported seeing some TPLF fighters leave their posts and return home and said looting of government facilities was taking place in the city. This was also confirmed by a local “TPLF militants and leaders are leaving Mekelle.” The journalist added that government offices and police stations had also been left without security personnel. A local resident told AFP he feared “the government and public assets could be exposed to looting.” Tawakel reported that forces loyal to the federal government have made significant advances in Tigray, taking control of several cities and approaching Mekelle. Where are the fighting taking place? Fighting has occurred on several fronts in northern Ethiopia stretching across the Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions. Last week, the Tigray Peace Force, an armed group made up of Tigray fighters aligned with the federal government, said it had captured the city of Alamata. Alamata is important because it is located near Tigray’s southern border with Amhara and serves as a supply center for troops, fuel and food. Control of the city could allow federal forces to advance north toward Mekelle. The offensive in Afar could threaten supply routes from Djibouti, through which most Ethiopian imports pass, including fuel. The fighting in Afar also comes amid accusations of direct Eritrean involvement. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of supporting armed groups opposed to its government. Eritrea has rejected the accusations. Fighting has also spread to Amhara, including around Wollo North. The Ethiopian military has said around 270 Tigray fighters have been killed and more than 200 wounded there. Outside northern Ethiopia, the conflict appeared to spread to the capital, Addis Ababa, for the first time early Thursday when an explosion was reported at the Defense Ministry. What is the humanitarian situation like? The fighting is already taking a devastating humanitarian toll. At least 52 civilians have been killed due to fighting in northern Ethiopia. Amnesty International, an acronym for MSF, said last week that there had been an increase in the number of injuries in the north. Amnesty International said Friday that since fighting resumed, it has received “credible reports of destruction of civilian objects through bombings and airstrikes, escalation of forced recruitment and other acts that may constitute violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.” Ethiopia, its host country, is on the agenda. The AU, which was one of the guarantors of the ceasefire agreement that has now effectively collapsed, must learn from the mistakes of the past and urgently activate its response mechanisms and mobilize its member states before it is too late,” Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s regional director for Eastern and Southern Africa, said in a statement. “The starting point is for the Peace and Security Council to urgently convene an emergency session on the situation in Ethiopia. Regionalization of the conflict is on the rise.” Could the current conflict spread to the region? Analysts fear the current conflict could spread beyond Ethiopia’s borders. On Thursday, Eritrea cut diplomatic relations with Ethiopia, escalating a long-simmering conflict between the two states. Years-long “agenda of unceasing hostility,” including encroaching on its coastal areas and arming fighters opposed to Ethiopia’s government. Eritrea and Ethiopia restored ties in 2018 under the leadership of Abiy after more than 20 years of tensions, but their relations have since deteriorated over Addis Ababa’s accusation that Asmara backs the Tigray rebels. Ethiopia and Eritrea are now also on opposite sides. Common neighbor Sudan has drawn both countries, along with other African and Gulf states. On the coast, Somalia’s security crises are deepening, threatening to further fragment the country as foreign powers. They look to their autonomous regions for their coast. In this context, the US and Israel’s war against Iran and the involvement of Yemen’s Houthis just across the Red Sea from Eritrea have also raised concerns about trade routes through that waterway. Laura Hammond, professor of development studies at SOAS University of London, told Al Jazeera on Friday that this scenario is already underway. current conflict are already manifesting themselves in terms of Eritrea’s support for the TPLF and the Alliance for Survival,” Hammond said. “There is a strong possibility that Eritrea will become more involved in the conflict on the ground within Tigray if it continues for much longer,” he continued. “There is also a risk that the conflict could inflame relations with and within Sudan.” Eritrea has denied being involved in the war.
