Story perspectives

Tigray Forces Seize Ethiopia’s Mekelle, Axum, Shire Airports

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 10:23 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Tigray regional forces seized Mekelle, Axum and Shire airports on September 23, 2026.
Witnesses said the takeover occurred without gunfire.
Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to the three airports, citing the situation.
The seizure followed formation of the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival, a seven-group coalition opposing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The African Union estimates the 2020-2022 civil war killed about 600,000 people and displaced over one million.

History

Historical Context

In May 1998, after a Badme firefight, Ethiopia and Eritrea began a war that ended in June 2000, killing about 70,000 people and causing civilian casualties after air strikes on Mekelle and Asmara. The 2000 Algiers Agreement left a disputed border; despite Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s 2018 peace declaration, the Peoples’ Forces Alliance’s seizure of Mekelle, Axum and Shire airports revives the earlier air-space disruptions.

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Story summary

Tigray regional forces seized Mekelle, Axum and Shire airports on September 23, 2026.
Witnesses said the takeover occurred without gunfire.
Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to the three airports, citing the situation.
The seizure followed formation of the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival, a seven-group coalition opposing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The African Union estimates the 2020-2022 civil war killed about 600,000 people and displaced over one million.

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