Trending 
A pro-government militia group claimed late Friday that it recaptured the primary airport in Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region and a key opposition stronghold.
The Tigray Peace Forces posted on X that their fighters had “taken full control of Mekelle Alula Aba Nega Airport” and were actively clearing the city.
Ladies & gents, we’ve taken full control of Mekelle Alula Aba Nega Airport. We’re currently clearing the city of Mekelle.
Read More : Ethiopia Repels Rebels as Regional Tensions Rise
Peace is around the corner as the TPLF maffia leaders fled towards Eritrea.
Mekelle welcomed us with open arms. The decades old nightmares are ending. pic.twitter.com/tOhq00f5vO
— Tigray Peace Forces (@TigrayPeaceF) October 2, 2026
Neither the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s Office nor the opposition-led Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) responded immediately to requests for comment, and independent sources have not yet verified the claim.
The capture of Mekelle’s airport represents a major setback for the TPLF-led opposition alliance, which launched a massive military offensive against federal troops last week.
Following the opposition’s initial push, federal forces and allied militias launched a rapid counteroffensive deep into Tigray.
Security analysts warn that this latest escalation—the most severe fighting in the region since the 2020–2022 civil war—threatens to destabilise the Horn of Africa and spiral into a broader regional conflict.
