World · Malaysia Bureau
Tigray rebels seize airport as clashes with Ethiopian forces escalate
Fighting erupted between the Tigray People's Liberation Front and federal government forces in Ethiopia's Afar region, prompting concerns over a potential return to full-scale armed conflict.
LSN Malaysia ·
Clashes between the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and Ethiopian federal forces intensified across multiple locations in the Afar region starting Tuesday night, with the rebel group seizing control of a strategic airport facility. Intense fighting was reported in the towns of Abala and Erebti, marking a significant escalation in hostilities between the two sides.
The confrontation represents a serious setback in efforts to maintain the fragile ceasefire that has largely held since late 2022. Military analysts have expressed alarm that the renewed violence could signal the beginning of a return to the devastating large-scale conflict that characterized the 2020-2022 war.
The significance of the airport seizure underscores the tactical importance of the Afar region, which serves as a critical corridor for military and logistical operations. The TPLF's control of the facility grants the rebel group enhanced strategic positioning in the contested area.
Federal forces have not yet issued detailed statements regarding their response to the airport's loss or their operational plans to counter the TPLF advances. The international community has been monitoring the situation closely, with concerns mounting about the humanitarian implications of any renewed warfare in the region.