Rebel forces in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region have said they have temporarily withdrawn from the regional capital, Mekelle, as fighting with the national army moves towards the city.
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which has been running the region, said it decided to leave because of concerns about risks to civilians.
Two Mekelle residents told the BBC that pro-government forces now control the city and TPLF fighters have abandoned it. One resident also said mobile phone services had been restored.
Fighting has erupted in recent weeks between the TPLF and allied groups and government forces in parts of the northern regions of Tigray, Afar and Amhara.
TPLF chairman Debretsion Gebremichael said that while they were leaving Mekelle for the time being, the conflict remained fluid and the group would “continue its work from another location”.
He described it as a deliberate strategic move, saying: “We will attack the enemy where we choose, not where he chooses for us.”
During the 2020-2022 civil war in Tigray, the TPLF made a similar move and resorted to guerrilla attacks after losing control of Mekelle to federal forces.
The latest outbreak of fighting has raised concerns among observers that the conflict could further destabilise the Horn of Africa, potentially drawing in neighbouring countries.
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