Tigray forces seize main airport in northern Ethiopia from police, residents tell the BBC

ByTeklemariam Bekit BBC Tigrinya.

Key points

• A two-year war in Tigray concluded in November 2022 – but both sides are now accusing each other of violating an African Union-mediated peace agreement.
• On Tuesday, a strike in the southern town of Alamata killed at least 14 individuals and injured 22 others, according to the Tigrayan authorities.
• Both Addis Ababa and TPLF leaders have faced criticism over delays in implementing key provisions of the Pretoria Agreement.
• In July, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed accused the TPLF of preparing for renewed conflict during an address to parliament.
• On Sunday, the TPLF confirmed an alliance with six armed groups in Ethiopia to remove the administration in Addis Ababa.

Local forces in Ethiopia's northern region of Tigray have seized control of the airport in the regional capital, Mekelle, from federal police, local residents have informed the BBC.

No flights are at present landing at the airport and Ethiopian Airlines stated it had suspended flights to Mekelle and the cities of Shire and Axum since of what it called the "current situation" in Tigray.

There have been escalating tensions this year between the administration and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the party that runs Tigray, fuelling fears of a return to civil war.

Notably, a two-year war in Tigray concluded in November 2022 – but both sides are now accusing each other of violating an African Union-mediated peace agreement.

It was one of the most-deadly conflicts this century, with the AU's mediator estimating some 600, 000 individuals died as the fighting drove the region to the precipice of famine. Seven Ethiopian rebel groups form new alliance.

In practice, the flight suspension follows a series of documented drone strikes in Tigray.

For context, the town's mayor, Mogos Shiferaw, informed the BBC that more than five drones and one fighter jet had carried out more than 21 strikes beginning at around 03: 30.

"This caused a lot of psychological trauma in our city and our people were in a state of panic, " he remarked.

Mogos remarked all those killed and injured were civilians, accusing federal forces of targeting two secondary schools.

He believed they were struck on suspicion that they were being applied by Tigrayan forces.

But the mayor remarked the schools. It had served as federal military bases during the civil war, were unoccupied as the academic year had not yet begun.

In practice, the BBC has not independently verified the allegations and the administration has not publicly commented.

On Wednesday, the Tigray authorities accused Addis Ababa of launching an open invasion on the region's residents, urging individuals to backing the regional forces and maintain unity.

Meanwhile, the US State Department's Bureau of African Affairs has condemned a separate drone strike that it remarked took place on Monday, targeting a convoy of Catholic vehicles carrying food aid.

It pressed an investigation and called on all parties to resolve their differences through dialogue and take steps to prevent similar incidents.

Both Addis Ababa and TPLF leaders have faced criticism over delays in implementing key provisions of the Pretoria Agreement. It formally concluded the conflict in November 2022.

Just before the general election in May, the TPLF restored its pre-war administration, disbanding an interim one appointed by Abiy.

There have additionally been reports that the TPLF has forcibly recruiting young men to join its forces. More BBC stories regarding Tigray.

For context, the young women who fought in Ethiopia's last civil war and don't want to see another one. Ethiopia PM's party wins landslide as fears grow of new conflict. Is Ethiopia heading back to war in Tigray? 'I lost my leg on the way home from school'.

Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent.

For now, tigray forces seize main airport in northern Ethiopia from police, residents tell remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.