Ethiopian government forces retake Mekelle airport

Addis Ababa – October 3, 2026: Ethiopian federal forces and government-backed militias are reported to have retaken Alula Aba Nega Airport in the city of Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region, as heavy fighting continues in the north of the country.

Reuters reported that informed sources and humanitarian sources confirmed that government forces have seized the airport, which is approximately 10 kilometers from the center of Mekelle.

The Tigray peace forces, supported by the federal government, stated that they have fully taken control of the airport and are conducting operations to clear the city of Mekelle. Reuters noted that this claim could not be independently verified at the time the report was written.

Fighting between government forces and an armed alliance led by the TPLF reignited in Tigray on September 23, and it is considered the most intense conflict since the war of 2020–2022.

Local sources also reported hearing gunfire inside Mekelle, while some Tigray fighters have abandoned their positions.

The capture of Mekelle airport could represent a significant military shift, but analysts have stated that this does not mean the war is over, as there are still troops and armed groups fighting in parts of Tigray.