Ethiopian forces capture Tigray regional capital after week of fighting

Ethiopian government forces announced they have taken control of Mekelle after a week of heavy fighting with Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) fighters in the strategic regional capital.

Military officials said government troops secured the city following sustained combat operations, though details of the fighting and current conditions in Mekelle remained limited. The seizure of the capital represents a major shift in the territorial balance of the conflict that has gripped the northern region.

The conflict has created a severe humanitarian crisis, with widespread reports of civilian casualties, displacement, and restricted access for aid organizations. Communications blackouts and limited independent verification have made it difficult to assess the full extent of the fighting and civilian impact.

The capture of Mekelle could have significant implications for the broader conflict dynamics in the region, though analysts cautioned that military control of the capital does not necessarily resolve the underlying political and military tensions between the federal government and regional authorities.