Pro-government militia says it retook Mekelle airport in Ethiopia's Tigray

A militia allied to Ethiopia's federal government, the Tigray Peace Forces, said late on Friday it had retaken full control of Mekelle Alula Aba Nega Airport in the Tigray regional capital, posting on X that it was "currently clearing the city of Mekelle." Reuters said it could not immediately verify the claim; the Prime Minister's Office did not respond and the Tigray People's Liberation Front could not be reached. If confirmed, the advance would be a major setback for the TPLF-led opposition alliance, which launched a large offensive last week — the worst escalation since the 2020–2022 civil war, which analysts warn could widen into a broader regional conflict.

Source: Reuters, October 3, 2026. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/pro-government-forces-say-they-retake-airport-ethiopias-tigray-region-2026-10-03/