Ethiopia’s Tigray Region Declares Defensive War as Clashes Escalate

Tigrayan forces seize airports and clash with federal troops in Afar. Fears of renewed war grow as tensions flare.

September 23, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — The Tigray regional government has declared it is engaged in a defensive war against Ethiopian federal forces following reports of clashes in the Afar region. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) claimed control of key locations, including airports in Mekelle and Shire, amid escalating violence.

Clashes erupted late Tuesday in the towns of Abala and Erebti, with TPLF fighters reportedly seizing control of several areas in Afar. A humanitarian worker noted that displaced residents were being provided with aid, while a foreign security source confirmed TPLF’s presence in Abala. Federal forces have been stationed in the region for months, but recent reports suggest they are retreating rapidly.

The Tigray government stated it was responding to what it called an

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