Full Breakdown
Renewed Fighting in Ethiopia’s North and the Capture of Alamata
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Capture of Alamata and Escalation of Hostilities
On September 28, the pro-government Tigrai Peace Force announced that its fighters, together with Ethiopian military units, had taken the strategic town of Alamata — a key supply hub south of Mekelle and near the Amhara border. Video posted on the group’s Facebook page showed soldiers marching with Ethiopian flags. Two diplomatic sources confirmed the town had fallen, while a third said forces had entered but full control remained unverified. The advance follows a week-long surge in combat after the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) announced a new alliance with six other armed groups, forming the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival, which seeks to topple Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government.
Background & Context
The 2020-2022 civil war ended with the Pretoria Agreement on 2 November 2022, halting large-scale fighting but leaving disputes over western Tigray, disarmament and political authority unresolved. In early September 2026, the TPLF declared a new coalition with the Amhara Fano National Movement, the Oromo Liberation Army and other regional militias, reviving a “horizontal” alliance that previously fought on opposite sides. Simultaneously, TPLF forces seized the airports at Mekelle, Axum and Shire, cutting civilian air links and prompting the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission to note severe restrictions on movement and trade.
Data & Statistics
- United Nations estimates 750,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) remain in Tigray as of February 2026.
- A humanitarian source reported roughly 150,000 people displaced in Afar following the seizure of Erebti.
- Federal military statements claim 270–436 TPLF fighters killed and more than 200 wounded in northern clashes; these numbers have not been independently verified.
- NetBlocks detected a sub-national internet shutdown in Tigray, corroborated by reports of disrupted phone services.
Official Statements & Responses
Ethiopian Army Chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula accused external actors of fueling the conflict, naming Sudan, Egypt and Eritrea as supporters of the rebel alliance. He framed the fighting as a response to “provocations from the Tigray front” and emphasized a strategy of “wisdom and restraint.” The TPLF described its campaign as a defensive war against federal offensives, alleging the use of drones and heavy artillery by government forces. The United Nations Secretary-General’s spokesperson expressed concern over reports of drone strikes and civilian harm.
On-the-Ground Reports
Residents in Mekelle reported a sudden loss of mobile and internet connectivity, with humanitarian worker Duke Burbridge noting, “Last night telecommunications got knocked out.” Local journalists described the drone strike that damaged the Tigrai TV headquarters, leaving the station off-air.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Alamata’s status: Tigrai Peace Force claims full capture; a diplomatic source says forces have entered but control is unclear.
- Casualty figures: Federal claims of TPLF losses differ from opposition estimates, with no independent verification.
- Cause of telecom blackout: The army suggests the TPLF shut down networks to hinder drone targeting, while the TPLF denies involvement.
Verbatim Quotes
What’s Next
International observers stress the need for independent verification of battlefield reports and humanitarian conditions as the conflict spreads across Tigray, Afar and Amhara.