Hostilities have resumed in northern Ethiopia following the collapse of a peace agreement, with government forces and allied armed groups reporting territorial gains against rebel forces. The Tigray Peace Force, working alongside the federal military, stated it had taken control of Alamata, a strategically significant town located approximately 120 kilometers south of the regional capital. The capture was confirmed through video evidence and multiple diplomatic sources, marking a key development in the renewed conflict.
The latest round of fighting began last week when Tigrayan rebel forces launched a major offensive operation, seizing three airports in their region and expanding into neighboring Afar and Amhara territories. The conflict now spans multiple fronts across northern Ethiopia, with particularly intense activity around supply routes and regional capitals. Federal and allied forces have mounted counteroffensives, including drone strikes on media facilities aligned with rebel authorities. Control of Alamata carries particular importance given its position near Tigray’s southern border and its function as a logistics hub, potentially enabling government forces to advance toward the regional capital of Mekelle.
The fighting has resulted in significant humanitarian consequences. Medical facilities in affected areas have experienced a dramatic surge in wounded patients, with hospital admissions tripling in some locations within 48 hours. Approximately 150,000 people have been displaced since fighting resumed. Communications infrastructure has been severely disrupted, with internet and phone networks offline across much of Tigray.
The current conflict involves deep-seated political divisions between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which previously held political dominance before Abiy’s rise to power in 2018. Recent developments also involve the formation of a multi-group opposition coalition, combining previously rival armed organizations. Regional implications remain significant, with allegations of involvement by neighboring Eritrea and accusations directed toward Sudan and Egypt, though these nations have denied providing military support or interference in Ethiopia’s internal affairs.
The renewed fighting represents a breakdown of the Pretoria Agreement signed in November 2022, following a devastating prior conflict that resulted in massive loss of life and displacement across the region.
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