Wednesday, September 23, 2026 - Tensions in northern Ethiopia have sharply intensified after Tigrayan forces took control of Alula Aba Nega Airport in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, on Wednesday, September 23.
Local and security sources confirmed the takeover, while Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to Mekelle, Axum and Shire because of the worsening security situation. The move comes as fighting has also been reported in parts of neighbouring Afar between Tigrayan and federal forces.
The escalation follows the formation of a seven-group alliance involving the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and other armed and political groups opposed to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government.
The renewed fighting represents a major escalation after months of deteriorating relations, while the competing sides have offered different accounts of who initiated the latest hostilities. The scale of the fighting and its potential to spread remain uncertain.
The immediate focus is now on civilian safety, transport links and whether the clashes spread beyond Tigray and Afar. The suspension of flights has already disrupted access to three major northern cities, while humanitarian workers report displacement linked to fighting in Afar.
With tensions rising rapidly, developments on the ground could have significant consequences for security and humanitarian operations across northern Ethiopia.
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