Tigray town in northern Ethiopia, population ~66k (2015).
Tigrayan rebels have seized Mekelle’s airport and a regional hub, triggering flight suspensions and signaling renewed instability in northern Ethiopia as rival forces align against the government. Flights to Mekelle, Axum and Shire are halted while authorities assess next steps.
A coalition of seven armed groups has formed to topple Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, escalating violence in northern Ethiopia. After gains in Mekelle and other fronts, flights to Mekelle have been suspended amid the current security situation as clashes widen in Afar and Amhara. The Pretoria peace framework remains challenged as parties accuse one another of violations.
Judges in The Hague have convicted Mahamat Said Abdel Kani for running a detention facility in Bangui where Bozizé supporters were tortured during the 2013 conflict. The verdict finds torture and persecution proven; some charges are dismissed as the conflict was deemed over at the time. Sentencing will be set later.
UN officials warn of civilian protection risks as fighting in northern Ethiopia intensifies, airports in Mekelle, Shire and Axum are seized, and humanitarian access is disrupted amid drone usage and internet outages. The UN calls for restraint and safe, unimpeded aid delivery as civilians face growing displacement and hunger.
Fighting in northern Ethiopia has intensified as federal forces push into Tigray, while opposition groups allied with the TPLF strike Addis Ababa with reported drone activity. Civilians flee and aid access tightens amid regional tensions and accusations of external involvement.
Fights in northern Ethiopia have escalated, with Ethiopian forces clashing with rebel groups in Tigray, Amhara and Afar. Ethiopia has closed its embassy in Asmara and expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats, prompting Eritrea to sever ties. The move raises regional tensions and could widen instability across the Horn of Africa.
Federal and allied forces have retaken Mekelle after TPLF fighters withdrew; Ethiopian Airlines has resumed flights to Mekelle airport. Renewed fighting across Tigray has undermined the 2022 Pretoria peace deal and raised fears of a wider Horn of Africa conflict as Addis Ababa accuses Eritrea of involvement and neighbours call for restraint. (Sun 11 Oct 2026)
The UN warns of growing civilian harm as fighting and displacement intensify in Tigray, Baidoa and southern Lebanon, with attacks on healthcare and critical infrastructure; UNICEF and other agencies report mounting needs among children and families amid growing access challenges for aid.