Ethiopia: federal army enters Mekele after capturing the airport

Ethiopia's federal army entered Mekele, the regional capital of Tigray located about 150 kilometers from the Eritrean border, on Saturday, marking a major advance in its conflict with the region's rebel forces.

The entry into the city follows the recapture, the previous day, of Mekele's airport by Tigrayan troops allied with the federal government. The facility had until then been in the hands of rebels from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), who had controlled it since September 23.

These two consecutive developments represent a significant advance for the federal army, which has gained ground in recent days not only in Tigray but also further east, in the Afar region.

The situation in Mekele remains difficult to assess independently, in a region where access for journalists and humanitarian organizations has been limited since the start of hostilities. How control of the city evolves could have major repercussions for the balance of power across the whole region.

The TPLF, which had seized control of the airport in late September, has not yet publicly responded to this double loss. Ethiopian federal authorities have also not detailed their intentions regarding the next steps in military operations in the region.

The recapture of Mekele, if it holds over time, would mark a turning point in the balance of power between Addis Ababa and Tigray's rebel regional authorities.