Ethiopian rebel forces withdraw from Tigray regional capital

Ethiopian rebel forces have withdrawn from the Tigray regional capital of Mekelle, according to the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The TPLF said the temporary pullout was motivated by concerns over civilian risk as government forces advance toward the city. Residents in Mekelle told the BBC that pro‑government troops now control the town and that TPLF fighters have abandoned it, with one resident noting that mobile phone service appears to have been restored in parts of the area. Clashes between the TPLF and national army forces, alongside allied fighters, have flared in recent weeks across Tigray, Afar and Amhara regions. Analysts warn that the shift could further destabilise the Horn of Africa and potentially draw in neighboring countries. The United States Department of State urged “restraint” and “dialogue” from all sides ahead of a diplomatic meeting in Egypt on Sunday, which included leaders from several of Ethiopia’s neighbours.