Ethiopian forces take control of Mekelle from TPLF-led alliance

Ethiopian government forces and allied forces have regained control of the capital of Tigray, three sources toldReuterson Sunday, dealing a major setback to the opposition alliance.The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), said in a statement posted on Facebookthatit had retreated from the capital and that the regional government would be "temporarily moved out of Mekelle and operate from somewhere else."A source close to the pro-government forces, the Tigray Peace Forces, said its members entered the centre of Mekelle on Saturday afternoon, followed by the Ethiopian military.A humanitarian source and a Mekelle resident, who asked not to be named, confirmed the city was controlled by government forces.Loss of Mekelle a major blow for TPLFThe taking of Mekelle by pro-government forces is a major loss for the TPLF members, which launched a big offensive on September 23 against the Ethiopian army.Ethiopian army and allied forces have made a quick counterattack into Tigray, but analysts say the fighting — the worst escalation since the 2020-2022 civil war — threatens to escalate into a wider regional conflict.The federal government in Addis Ababa severed diplomatic ties with Eritrea last week, accusing it, along with Sudan and Egypt, of supporting TPLF — a claim all three countries deny.