Part of: TPLF withdraws from Mekelle as Ethiopian forces take control·3 events

Pro-government militia claims capture of Mekelle airport in Ethiopia's Tigray

October 3, 2026 at 12:05 PM1 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

A militia allied to Ethiopia's federal government said it recaptured Mekelle Alula Aba Nega Airport and is clearing the city of Mekelle, the capital of Tigray region. Reuters could not immediately verify the claim, and the Prime Minister's Office did not respond to a request for comment. The Tigray People's Liberation Front, which launched an offensive last week, could not be reached for comment.

Key Facts

The pro-government Tigray Peace Forces militia claimed on X late Friday that it took full control of Mekelle Alula Aba Nega Airport.
The militia also said it was clearing the city of Mekelle, the capital of Tigray region.
Reuters could not immediately verify the assertion, and the Ethiopian Prime Minister's Office did not respond to a request for comment.
The Tigray People's Liberation Front, which launched a major offensive against the Ethiopian military last week, could not be reached for comment.

The Claimed Recapture

The Tigray Peace Forces militia, allied to Ethiopia's federal government, posted on X late Friday that it had taken full control of Mekelle Alula Aba Nega Airport. The group added that it was currently clearing the city of Mekelle, the capital of the northern Tigray region. Reuters stated it could not immediately verify the assertion. The Ethiopian Prime Minister's Office did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

Opposition and Regional Context

The Tigray People's Liberation Front, the region's ruling party, leads an opposition alliance that launched a major offensive against the Ethiopian military last week. The TPLF could not immediately be reached for comment. Ethiopian federal forces and allied fighters have made a quick counterattack into Tigray. Analysts say the fighting, the worst escalation since the 2020-2022 civil war, threatens to widen into a broader regional conflict.