Ethiopian government forces have retaken the main airport in Mekelle, the capital of the northern Tigray region, according to multiple sources. Rebels from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) were reportedly seen leaving the city following the government's recapture of Alula Aba Nega Airport, located approximately 10 km (6 miles) from the city center.

The airport was among three airfields in the region seized by rebel forces at the onset of renewed fighting on September 23. The withdrawal of TPLF fighters and leaders from Mekelle was observed by local journalists and residents, although federal forces had not yet been reported inside the city.

Residents expressed concerns about potential looting and a breakdown of law and order due to the security vacuum. "I am concerned that government and public property could be exposed to looting because there are no security forces in the city," one resident told AFP. Another resident voiced fears for personal safety and a desire for a swift return to stability.

The implications of this development are significant for the ongoing conflict, which has seen a resurgence after a period of relative calm following the 2020-2022 civil war. The government's counteroffensive appears to be pushing into Tigrayan territory, aiming to regain control of key areas.

This latest escalation follows the formation of a seven-party rebel coalition led by the TPLF last month. The coalition launched an offensive, capturing airports and engaging in battles on the borders of Amhara and Afar states. While fighting has largely remained concentrated in Tigray, rebels have reportedly conducted drone attacks on the capital, Addis Ababa.

The conflict has been marked by drone attacks, intensified forced conscription, and damage to civilian infrastructure, according to Amnesty International. The current fighting has not yet reached the scale of the previous civil war, which resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, but there are concerns it could expand regionally.

Independent verification of battlefield developments remains challenging due to significant communication blackouts and restrictions on media access in Ethiopia. Neither the TPLF nor the government have officially commented on the recent events on the ground in Mekelle.

Questions remain about the future trajectory of the conflict, the humanitarian impact on civilians, and the potential for further escalation or de-escalation as both sides vie for control in the volatile region.