Fighting breaks out between the federal government and Tigray regional forces

Fighting between Ethiopia’s federal government forces and Tigrayan regional forces has broken out in the Tigray region, which has been gripped by months of rising tensions, according to officials from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the federal government.

Reports of fighting emerged on Wednesday morning after Tigrayan forces reportedly took control of Mekelle Airport, disrupting flights.

Federal government adviser and former president of the Tigray region, Getachew Reda, said that TPLF leaders launched an all-out offensive against government positions in the Afar and Amhara regions early this morning. TPLF authorities administering Tigray, however, described the fighting as a defensive response to what they said was a federal government invasion involving drones and artillery.

Getachew Reda wrote on X that, despite efforts by many, including the international community, to prevent another round of war in Tigray, fighting has broken out.

TPLF leaders, meanwhile, said their forces had been forced to respond defensively, accusing government forces of launching the first attack.

The TPLF has been at odds with the federal government since its leaders took control of Tigray and dismantled the region’s interim administration. Tensions have persisted, with sporadic clashes reported between the two sides.