# Ethiopian Federal Forces Retake Mekelle Airport From Tigrayan Fighters
Ethiopian federal forces have regained control of Mekelle's airport after Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF) fighters seized the facility last month, according to resident reports from the northern Tigray region.
The airport serves as a strategic asset in the ongoing conflict between the Ethiopian federal government and the TPLF, a political and military organization that governed Tigray for three decades before tensions erupted into armed conflict in November 2020. Control of Mekelle airport carries substantial operational importance, as it provides access to one of the most important population centers in northern Ethiopia and enables movement of troops, humanitarian supplies, and government personnel.
The seizure and subsequent recapture of the airport reflects the volatile military situation in Tigray following the November 2022 ceasefire between federal forces and the TPLF, which ended two years of open warfare that killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions. The ceasefire nominally halted major combat operations, but sporadic clashes and disputes over territorial control have persisted.
Mekelle, home to approximately 500,000 people, sits as the capital of Tigray region and represents a key administrative and commercial hub. The airport's status directly affects the delivery of humanitarian aid to a region facing acute food insecurity and collapsed infrastructure. International organizations operating in Tigray depend on airport access to transport medical supplies, food assistance, and personnel.
The federal government has portrayed control of the airport as essential to maintaining state authority and ensuring security in the region. The TPLF claims the federal government has restricted humanitarian access and military movements through the airport, contributing to what humanitarian organizations describe as a catastrophic humanitarian situation affecting millions of civilians.
The conflict between the Ethiopian federal government and the TPLF stems from long-standing political disputes over power-sharing arrangements, constitutional authority, and regional autonomy. The TPLF initially supported the federal government's rise to power but the relationship deteriorated significantly after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office in 2018 and began dismantling TPLF influence over state institutions.
International actors, including the African Union, United Nations, and various governments, have called for a permanent resolution to the conflict and restoration of durable peace in Tigray. Negotiations have stalled repeatedly over fundamental disagreements regarding disarmament, territorial boundaries, and accountability for alleged war crimes committed by all parties.
The airport's control remains a barometer for the broader security environment in Tigray. Access to the facility affects not only military positioning but also the capacity of humanitarian organizations to respond to what the United Nations describes as one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Civilians in Mekelle and surrounding areas continue experiencing severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel.
The recapture of Mekelle airport by federal forces signals continued military tension despite the nominal ceasefire framework. The incident underscores how territorial disputes over strategic infrastructure remain unresolved in the post-ceasefire period, with both sides competing for control of key facilities and resources.