Tigrayan rebel forces pull out of Mekelle as federal troops take control

Pro-government soldier in Mekelle

In a sudden turn, the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF) announced it had withdrawn its forces from Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia's northern Tigray region.

The move was reportedly made to protect civilians as fighting with the Ethiopian national army intensified on the city’s outskirts.

Residents report that pro‑government troops now hold the city and that mobile phones have begun working again in parts of Mekelle.

The development marks a major shift in a war that has claimed up to 600,000 lives and could trigger wider regional instability. Diplomats in Cairo are set to meet with leaders from neighbouring states, while the U.S. Department of State has urged all sides to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue.