Ethiopia’s forces retake Mekelle amid renewed Tigray fighting

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Published: 2026-10-05T08:20:33.294Z • Permanent link

Ethiopian government forces have successfully retaken control of Mekelle, the capital city of the Tigray region, amid renewed fighting between government troops and Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) forces. The operation, which began on September 21, marks a significant escalation in the conflict that has ravaged the region since November 2020. According to sources close to the Ethiopian government, the operation was carried out by elite military units, including the Amhara Special Forces, who were supported by air power and artillery.

The recapture of Mekelle is seen as a major victory for the Ethiopian government, which has been struggling to assert its authority in the region. The TPLF, which has been waging a guerrilla war against the government since the conflict began, has been accused of human rights abuses, including the targeting of civilians and the use of child soldiers. The United Nations has estimated that over 2 million people have been displaced by the conflict, and thousands have been killed or injured. The international community has been increasingly critical of the government's actions, with the United States and other countries calling for a ceasefire and an end to the violence.

The recapture of Mekelle has also raised concerns about the impact on the regional economy, which has been severely affected by the conflict. The Tigray region is a major producer of agricultural goods, including coffee and cotton, and the conflict has disrupted trade and investment in the area. The Ethiopian government has pledged to restore stability and normalcy to the region, but it remains to be seen whether this will be possible in the face of continued violence and instability.

The recapture of Mekelle by Ethiopian government forces has significant implications for the global financial markets, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in the Horn of Africa. The Tigray region is a major hub for gold mining, and the conflict has disrupted gold production and trade in the area. The Ethiopian government's control of the region could lead to an increase in gold production and exports, which could have a positive impact on the global economy. However, the conflict also poses significant risks to the global economy, particularly in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China.

The recapture of Mekelle also has implications for the research community, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in the Horn of Africa. The Tigray region is a major hub for research and development, particularly in the fields of agriculture and natural resources. The conflict has disrupted research and development in the area, and the recapture of Mekelle by Ethiopian government forces could lead to an increase in research and development activities in the region. However, the conflict also poses significant challenges for researchers, particularly in terms of access to the region and the ability to conduct research safely.

The recapture of Mekelle by Ethiopian government forces is part of a larger pattern of escalation in the conflict in the Horn of Africa. The conflict, which began in 2018, has been marked by a series of violent clashes between government troops and rebel groups, including the TPLF. The conflict has also been marked by a series of humanitarian crises, including the displacement of millions of people and the targeting of civilians. The international community has been increasingly critical of the government's actions, with the United Nations and other organizations calling for a ceasefire and an end to the violence.