MEKELLE, Ethiopia —The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has reportedly taken control of the airport in Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia’s Tigray region, according to security and local sources cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The reported seizure of the airport marks a significant development in the region and could represent a major escalation in tensions involving the TPLF and Ethiopian authorities.
Details surrounding the reported takeover remain limited. It was not immediately clear how control of the airport changed hands, whether there were casualties, or what impact the development would have on commercial and humanitarian flights serving Mekelle.
The airport is a key transportation link for Tigray, connecting the regional capital with other parts of Ethiopia and playing an important role in the movement of passengers, aid workers and humanitarian supplies.
The TPLF was the dominant political and military force in Tigray before the outbreak of the devastating conflict between federal government forces and Tigrayan forces in 2020. A peace agreement reached in November 2022 brought an end to the major fighting, although tensions and political disputes have continued in the region.
The latest reported development comes amid renewed concerns over stability in Tigray and the wider Horn of Africa.
Authorities have yet to provide a full public account of the situation at Mekelle airport, and independent verification of the reported takeover remains important as information continues to emerge.
More details are expected as security officials, regional authorities, and other parties respond to the reports.