Ethiopian federal forces regain control of Mekelle, flights resume
After Ethiopian federal forces retook Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region, life is returning to normal. Flights to the city have resumed following a two-week closure, and residents report resuming work peacefully. The region remains tense due to accusations of Eritrean support for Tigray rebels and a diplomatic standoff between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Brève Publié le (Africa/Lagos, UTC+1) · date de l'événement : 2026-10-03
Life is returning to normal in Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia’s Tigray region, after federal forces retook control of the city from Tigray rebels about ten days ago, Africanews reported on October 13, 2026.
Flights to Mekelle airport, which had been closed for two weeks following the rebels’ seizure of the city at the end of September, resumed on Sunday. Passengers have started arriving again, signaling a return to normalcy.
Residents like Haile Mariam Hadgu expressed hope for lasting peace, stating, “Now we have restarted our work as new, and the situation is good. We want to see peace improving even beyond this. Everyone wants to do their work peacefully, go home, and grow, prosper.”
The capture of Mekelle by Tigray forces had raised fears of renewed conflict after a devastating two-year civil war that killed more than half a million civilians before peace was agreed in 2022.
Despite the federal government’s regained control, tensions persist between Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea. Addis Ababa has accused Asmara of supporting the Tigray fighters and sending troops across the border. Eritrea condemned Ethiopia’s “declaration of war” without denying the accusations, escalating regional instability.