By Africalivenews
Ethiopian federal forces have taken control of Alula Aba Nega Airport in Mekelle, the capital of the northern Tigray region, according to residents and an Ethiopian military official who spoke to The Associated Press.
The reported takeover reverses the capture of the airport by Tigrayan fighters last month and comes amid growing fears that renewed tensions between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) could lead to another major conflict in the region.
It remained unclear when federal forces recaptured the airport or whether fighting took place during the operation. Residents who provided information about the situation declined to be identified, citing fears of possible retaliation amid uncertainty over who currently controls parts of Mekelle.
An Ethiopian general, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that federal forces were in control of the airport.
“The military is in full control of the airport. That much I can confirm,” the general said.
There was no immediate official statement from the Ethiopian government or the TPLF confirming the reported recapture of the airport.
The situation has been difficult to independently verify because severe disruptions to internet and cellphone networks have affected communication with Tigray.
It also remained unclear whether federal forces had regained control of Mekelle itself.
An AP contributor in the city reported that residents were fearful of possible looting as uncertainty continued over the security situation.
The latest development follows the seizure of Alula Aba Nega Airport by TPLF fighters on September 23.
The takeover prompted Ethiopian Airlines to suspend commercial flights to Mekelle as well as to the Tigrayan cities of Axum and Shire.
The airport is an important transport link for the region, and its closure further disrupted movement into and out of Tigray.
The reported return of the airport to federal control comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Ethiopia’s federal government and the TPLF, raising fresh concerns about the durability of the peace agreement that ended the previous war in Tigray.
The African Union has urged all sides to exercise restraint, warning that renewed hostilities could threaten the peace agreement signed in 2022.
The agreement, reached following two years of devastating conflict, brought an end to a war that caused widespread displacement, destruction and a severe humanitarian crisis across Tigray.
However, the region has struggled to fully recover, with many of the commitments under the peace deal still unfulfilled.
Around one million people remain displaced, while the humanitarian and economic consequences of the previous conflict continue to affect communities across the region.
The TPLF dominated Ethiopian politics for decades and ruled the country from 1991 until 2018, when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power and introduced significant political changes.
Relations between the federal government and the TPLF subsequently deteriorated, eventually contributing to the outbreak of war in 2020.
The conflict lasted for two years before the Pretoria Peace Agreement was signed in November 2022.
The agreement created an uneasy period of relative calm, but tensions began to rise again in late 2025 as clashes were reported in parts of the region.
The federal government has since been accused of increasing its military presence around Tigray and carrying out drone strikes in the region.
The renewed tensions have raised concerns that Ethiopia could once again face a large-scale conflict in its northern region.
Rights organisations have also accused the TPLF of conducting forced recruitment as the group prepares for the possibility of renewed fighting.
The TPLF has faced increasing pressure as tensions with the federal government have intensified, while the Ethiopian authorities have accused the group of maintaining links with neighbouring Eritrea and other armed groups operating in Ethiopia.
Eritrea’s involvement is particularly sensitive because it fought alongside Ethiopian federal forces during the previous Tigray war, while relations between Eritrea and the TPLF remain deeply hostile.
The latest escalation therefore has implications beyond the immediate dispute between Addis Ababa and the TPLF, particularly given the region’s history of cross-border tensions and armed conflict.
The federal government also has a significant military advantage compared with the previous conflict, having expanded its production and use of military drones.
The deployment of drones played a major role during the earlier war and contributed to the federal government’s military campaign against Tigrayan forces.
The possibility of another conflict has therefore caused concern among civilians who have yet to recover from the devastating effects of the previous war.
The reported recapture of Mekelle airport could represent an important strategic development, given the airport’s role as one of the main entry points into the regional capital.
However, the lack of reliable communication from the region means that key details surrounding the operation remain unclear.
It is also uncertain whether the reported development will lead to further military confrontation or create an opportunity for renewed negotiations.
For now, residents remain caught between competing forces as uncertainty over control of Mekelle and the wider Tigray region continues.
The African Union and other international actors are likely to face renewed pressure to encourage restraint and prevent the latest escalation from developing into another prolonged conflict.
With the memories of the previous war still fresh and millions of people affected by its consequences, any further deterioration in relations between Ethiopia’s federal government and the TPLF could have serious humanitarian and regional consequences.
