Ethiopian Forces Control Mekelle as TPLF Claims Tactical Retreat

OPA WIRE, Nov 13 (OPA) — Federal troops marched into Mekelle following a brief renewal of hostilities that erupted in late September between the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF). The renewed clashes follow a two-year civil war that officially concluded in 2022. Hundreds of people have reportedly died in the latest flare-up, including victims of recent drone strikes and bombing raids conducted by the air force.

Government supporters and officials maintain that military operations are succeeding in clearing the region of TPLF elements. Getachew Reda, a senior TPLF official who is now an adviser to the prime minister, declared that the war had ended. Conversely, TPLF spokesperson Mikael Asgedom dismissed claims of defeat during a telephone interview, describing the departure from regional towns as a calculated retreat designed to isolate advancing federal forces on favorable terrain.

Independent verification remains difficult as telecommunications are partially restored but reporting restrictions persist. Residents in northern and central Tigray report ongoing artillery fire and active troop movements near Sheraro and the Eritrean border. The return of soldiers from Eritrea and federal units has revived deep anxieties among locals, leaving memories of the 2020-2022 conflict raw amid widespread human rights concerns.

Security analysts remain divided on the trajectory of the crisis. While experts like Cameroon Hudson argue the TPLF has lost its strategic depth, popular support, and military capacity to wage conventional warfare, others warn of a protracted insurgency. Observers suggest that persistent underground resistance and localized skirmishes could prevent genuine stability in the region for an extended period.