Ethiopia’s government forces retake airport from Tigray rebels in Mekelle

The rebels are seen leaving the capital of the northern Tigray region, according to local sources.Ethiopia’s federal army and pro-government fighters have recaptured the main airport in the capital of the northern Tigray region, with the rebels seen leaving the city, according to multiple unnamed sources.The Ethiopian National Defence Forces regained control of Alula Aba Nega Airport in Mekelle, one source with knowledge of events in the city and a humanitarian source told Reuters news agency on Saturday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3How the fighting in Ethiopia spread beyond Tigray, in maps and chartslist 2 of 3Ethiopia, Eritrea break ties: Does the conflict risk becoming regional war?list 3 of 3Could conflict in Ethiopia expand across the region?end of listThe airport, which is about ⁠10km (6 miles) from the centre of Mekelle, was one of three airfields in the region that were seized by the rebel forces at the start of the fighting on September 23.The fighters, as well as the leaders of the Tigray-peoples-liberation-front" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="176389" data-entity-type="organization">Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), were seen retreating from the city, a local journalist and residents told the AFP news agency.The journalist added that federal forces had not yet been seen inside Mekelle.“I am concerned that government and public property could be exposed to looting because there are no security forces in the city,” a resident told AFP.“I am worried that lawlessness could spread in the city, and I am also afraid for my life. I want us to quickly return to law and order,” added another resident.Al Jazeera could not independently confirm these claims. Media access is currently heavily restricted in Ethiopia, and there have been significant communications blackouts.Last month, rebels announced the formation of a seven-party rebel coalition led by the TPLF, the same armed group that fought in the 2020-2022 civil war against federal forces from Addis Ababa. The new coalition includes rebel groups of varying sizes from across the country.