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Tensions are boiling over in Ethiopia's northern region of Tigray as a splinter faction of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has taken control of key government offices and a radio station in the regional capital, Mekelle. With gunfire ringing out in nearby towns and fears of renewed violence gripping the region, residents are bracing for the worst.
The faction, led by former Tigray leader Debretsion Gebremichael, made its move earlier this week, seizing Adigrat—the second-largest city in Tigray—before storming into Mekelle. They now control crucial government buildings, including the mayor's office and Mekelle FM radio station. The ousted interim leader, Getachew Reda, has accused Debretsion's group of attempting a coup, escalating an already volatile situation.
This crisis comes just two years after a fragile peace deal ended a devastating war that claimed an estimated 500,000 lives. That agreement, signed in 2022 between the TPLF and the Ethiopian government, was supposed to bring stability to the region. But delays in implementing key provisions of the deal have deepened divisions within Tigray's leadership, leading to the current political showdown.
The power struggle is now spilling into the streets. Armed soldiers loyal to Debretsion have reportedly arrested local officials, while government buildings are under siege. Gunshots were heard in Adi-Gudem on Wednesday night as opposing forces clashed. Meanwhile, Reda, currently in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, is calling on the federal government for support, warning that "external actors" may be fueling the chaos.
Neighboring Eritrea, which played a controversial role in Tigray's civil war, is being accused of stirring tensions behind the scenes. Reda suggested that Eritrean forces may be collaborating with the dissident faction, though Eritrea has denied any involvement.
With international concerns mounting, global powers like the U.S., U.K., and European Union have urged leaders to prevent another slide into bloodshed. France has advised its nationals in Tigray to stockpile emergency supplies, and the African Union has expressed "deep concern" over the unfolding situation.
As Tigray teeters on the edge of a new conflict, all eyes are on the Ethiopian government. Will it intervene to restore order, or is the region about to be thrust back into the horrors of war? For now, the people of Tigray can only wait—and hope for peace.
