Ethiopia’s Tigray rebels withdraw from Mekelle

Mon Oct 05 2026 12:00:02 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Rebel forces announced a temporary pullback from the regional capital, leaving Mekelle in the hands of pro‑government troops as fighting presses on.

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has said it has temporarily withdrawn from Mekelle, citing concerns for civilian safety amid a surge of fighting near the city. Residents report that pro‑government forces now control Mekelle and that mobile phone services have partially returned. The retreat marks a significant shift in the northern Ethiopia conflict, raising fears that the fighting could spill into the wider Horn of Africa. Diplomats from the US, Egypt, and regional leaders have urged restraint and dialogue to prevent a broader escalation.

Ethiopia’s Tigray rebels withdraw from Mekelle

Pro‑government soldier standing guard on a street in Ethiopia's Tigray region

Rebel forces in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region have said they have temporarily withdrawn from the regional capital, Mekelle, as fighting with the national army moves towards the city.

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which has governed the region since the start of the civil war, said its decision to relocate was driven by concerns about risks to civilians.

Two Mekelle residents told BBC that pro‑government forces now control the city and that TPLF fighters have abandoned it. One resident added that mobile‑phone services appear to have resumed in parts of the city.

The retreat marks a major shift in a conflict that has seen fighting erupt in recent weeks between the TPLF and federal government forces, and allied fighters in Tigray, Afar and Amhara.

Observers warn the new developments could destabilise the Horn of Africa, potentially drawing in neighbouring countries. The US Department of State has called for restraint and dialogue as it prepares for a diplomatic meeting in Egypt with leaders from Ethiopia’s neighbours.

Source: BBC News, 4 October 2026.