Tigray Rebels Withdraw from Mekelle as Government Forces Advance

Tigray rebels retreat from Mekelle as Ethiopian government forces move in, marking a key shift in the conflict.

October 4, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Mekelle, Ethiopia — Rebel forces from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) have withdrawn from Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, according to a witness. The group, which leads an opposition alliance, announced its retreat following an advance by government-aligned fighters.

The TPLF stated on Facebook that it had pulled back from the capital, signaling a major shift in the ongoing conflict. Government-allied forces reportedly entered Mekelle after the withdrawal, raising questions about the next phase of the battle for control in the region.

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A file photo from May 2021 shows TPLF fighters walking through Hawzen, a town previously under their control. The latest developments come amid continued fighting in the Tigray region, with both sides reporting significant military movements and strategic shifts.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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