Tigray Capital Falls: Pro-Government Forces Seize Mekelle as Rebels Withdraw

Pro-government forces have seized control of Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia's Tigray region, after rebel forces withdrew from the city, two residents told the BBC on Monday. The takeover marks a major turning point in the nearly year-long conflict between Ethiopian federal forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

The withdrawal comes after months of fighting that has killed thousands and displaced over two million people, according to UN estimates. The TPLF had controlled Mekelle since mid-2021, when it retook the city from federal forces. The Ethiopian government has not yet issued an official statement on the latest development, and the TPLF has not commented on its withdrawal.

The capture of Mekelle could signal a shift in the balance of power, but the conflict remains far from over. International observers, including the African Union and the United Nations, have repeatedly called for a ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access. The situation on the ground remains fluid, and further clashes are possible as both sides reposition.