Tigray forces launch offensive against Ethiopia
The gist
Tigrayan forces seized Mekelle airport and launched offensives in Afar and Amhara, Tigray officials said.
The moves threaten Ethiopia's 2022 Pretoria peace deal and risk renewed war.
How it unfolded
- Sep 21, 2026The TPLF announced an alliance with six other armed groups aimed at removing the government in Addis Ababa; Abiy's spokesperson Billene Seyoum told Reuters the alliance members had been collaborating for a while with Eritrean financial backing.
- Sep 22, 2026A strike in the southern town of Alamata killed at least 14 people and injured 22, according to Tigrayan authorities; mayor Mogos Shiferaw told the BBC more than five drones and one fighter jet carried out more than 21 strikes starting around 03:30.
- Sep 23, 2026Tigrayan forces took control of Mekelle airport from federal police overnight, residents told the BBC; Getachew Reda said fighters had seized federally administered airports in Tigray and launched offensives in Afar and Amhara.