The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the group at the center of Ethiopia’s 2020–2022 war, has reported renewed fighting with Ethiopian federal forces in the country’s northern Tigray region, raising fresh concerns over the durability of the 2022 peace agreement.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the TPLF-led Tigray regional government said federal forces had launched an attack and that its forces had been ordered to enter what it described as a “defensive” war.
The TPLF also claimed that Ethiopian federal forces had launched a large-scale offensive from several directions, involving infantry and mechanized units, as well as drones and other air assets.
Local media reported clashes between federal forces and TPLF-affiliated fighters in parts of Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions, although the scale and circumstances of the reported fighting remained unclear.
The accounts from the two sides also differed over who initiated the latest escalation.
Getachew Reda, a former head of Tigray’s interim administration who now serves as an adviser to the federal government, accused the TPLF leadership of launching a major attack against government positions in Afar and Amhara.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie said Ethiopia had exercised “immense restraint” despite what he described as interference by “adversarial elements.”
The competing claims came amid growing concern that renewed military activity could undermine the fragile peace established after the devastating conflict that engulfed northern Ethiopia.
Concerns Over Mekelle
The latest escalation followed reports that TPLF forces had taken control of Alula Aba Nega Airport in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray.
The reported development was followed by a decision by Ethiopian Airlines to suspend flights to Mekelle, Axum and Shire in the Tigray region from Wednesday, citing the security situation.
The disruption to air services added to concerns over the deteriorating security environment and its potential effect on civilians, transportation and commercial activity in the region.
The latest reports have also drawn international concern, with the African Union calling for restraint from the parties.
The African Union said the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, signed in November 2022, remains the foundation of the peace process and urged the parties to preserve the progress achieved through the agreement.
The United Nations also expressed concern over the worsening situation.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the parties to de-escalate tensions and return to dialogue under the framework established by the 2022 Pretoria agreement.
Legacy of the 2020–2022 War
The renewed tensions are particularly significant because they come less than four years after Ethiopia's devastating two-year conflict.
The war between the TPLF and Ethiopia’s federal government began in November 2020 and was primarily centered in Tigray, although forces from neighboring regions became involved.
The conflict resulted in large-scale loss of life and displacement. Estimates cited in the supplied report put the number of people killed at hundreds of thousands, while millions were displaced during the fighting.
The conflict was brought to an end through the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in November 2022. The agreement halted the major fighting and established a framework for resolving outstanding political, security and humanitarian issues.
However, several contentious matters remained unresolved.
Among them were disputes over territory in western Tigray, the return of people displaced during the conflict and the disarmament of TPLF forces.
These unresolved issues have remained sensitive elements of the post-war political environment, with concerns that renewed tensions could threaten the gains made since the Pretoria agreement.
TPLF Remains Influential in Tigray
The TPLF has historically been one of Ethiopia’s most influential political organizations.
The group dominated Ethiopia’s political system for decades before Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018. Although its role changed significantly following the 2020–2022 conflict, the TPLF has remained an important political and military force in Tigray.
The latest escalation also comes after seven armed and political organizations from different parts of Ethiopia, including the TPLF, announced last week that they had formed an alliance.
According to the supplied report, the groups said the alliance would coordinate their opposition to the federal government led by Abiy.
The formation of the alliance adds another layer to Ethiopia’s complicated political and security landscape, particularly as authorities attempt to maintain the peace achieved after the Tigray war.
Calls for Restraint
With reports of fighting emerging across parts of northern Ethiopia, international calls have focused on preventing a return to large-scale conflict.
The African Union’s reference to the Pretoria agreement reflects the continued importance of the 2022 peace framework, while the UN has urged the parties to reduce tensions and return to negotiations.
The immediate situation remains fluid, with conflicting accounts from the TPLF and federal authorities regarding the origins and scale of the latest clashes.
The renewed fighting has nevertheless raised concerns about the possibility of further deterioration in northern Ethiopia, particularly given the unresolved issues left by the previous war.
For civilians in Tigray and neighboring regions, any prolonged escalation could carry significant humanitarian consequences after years of conflict and displacement.
The coming days are therefore likely to be closely watched as regional and international actors press the parties to exercise restraint and preserve the Pretoria peace process.
