Ethiopian government forces are advancing toward Mekelle, the capital of the northern Tigray region, raising fears that renewed fighting could develop into a wider regional conflict.
Residents said banks and shops in Mekelle were closed on Friday, while Ethiopian National Defence Force troops and allied militia were reported to be within striking distance of the city.
Government forces have made rapid gains since fighting began last week against a rebel alliance led by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, marking the most serious escalation since Ethiopia’s 2020 to 2022 civil war.
The conflict has also strained relations between Ethiopia and neighbouring Eritrea. Ethiopia closed its embassy in Eritrea and ordered 10 Eritrean diplomats to leave, accusing Asmara of hostile actions. Eritrea responded by severing diplomatic relations.
Ethiopia has also accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting the opposition alliance, allegations all three countries have denied. Egypt and Ethiopia have since expelled diplomats from each other’s countries.
The TPLF has acknowledged that federal forces have taken parts of Tigray but said it would launch a counterattack.
The African Union has called on Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to exercise maximum restraint.
Explosions were also reported in Addis Ababa earlier this week in what an opposition source described as drone attacks targeting military facilities. Reuters said it could not independently verify the reports.
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