አልጀዚራ፡ የፌዴራል ኃይሎች ወደ ትግራይ ውስጥ ከ150 ኪሎ ሜትር በላይ ዘልቀው መኾኒን፣ ዋጀናንና ዓዲ ጉዶምን ተቆጣጥረዋል አለ

AFP says residents and a local journalist in Mekelle reported that TPLF fighters and leaders were leaving the city, and that government offices and police stations had been left without security personnel. AFP said pro-government forces were heading north towards the regional capital. The accounts could not be independently verified.

The Associated Press reported on Saturday, citing residents in Mekelle who declined to be identified, that federal forces had retaken the city's Alula Aba Nega airport, which TPLF fighters seized on 23 September. AP said neither the Ethiopian government nor the TPLF had issued any statement on the fighting, that it was not clear when the airport changed hands, and that control of Mekelle city itself remained unclear.

Kulu Media reported on Saturday evening that federal and allied forces had entered Mekelle, citing video footage it had reviewed showing armed men in military vehicles moving through the city near the Axum Hotel. It said it had not established the identity of every unit in the footage, nor how much of Mekelle is under federal control, and that Ethiopia's federal government and military had made no announcement declaring the regional capital taken. A Mekelle resident told Reuters that gunfire could be heard outside the city centre.

Residents of Mekelle told AFP on Saturday that the city had been left without security personnel and that they feared looting and lawlessness. One resident said: "I want us to quickly return to law and order." AFP said federal forces had not been seen inside the city.

A journalist in Mekelle told AFP on Saturday that TPLF fighters and leaders were leaving the city and that security personnel had left government offices and police stations. AFP said federal forces had not been seen inside Mekelle.

Reuters said on Saturday, citing three sources, that federal forces had recaptured Mekelle's Alula Aba Nega Airport, about 10km from the city centre and one of three airports seized by opposition forces when fighting erupted on 23 September. A source close to the TPLF said the city was encircled by government troops and allied militias. The Prime Minister's office did not respond to Reuters.

The pro-government Tigray Peace Forces militia said in a message on X late on Friday that it had taken full control of Mekelle Alula Aba Nega Airport and was "clearing the city of Mekelle". Reuters said it could not verify the claim. The Prime Minister's Office did not respond to requests for comment and the TPLF could not be reached.

Al Jazeera reported on 2 October that Brigadier General Gebreegziabher Beyene, commander of the pro-government Tigray Peace Forces, said his forces were close to taking full control of Tigray and that they had taken Raya, Tembien and Enderta. Residents told Reuters that federal forces were about 30 kilometres from Mekelle. The accounts could not be independently verified, and the Ethiopian army, the federal government and the TPLF did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

Reuters reported on 2 October that banks and shops in Mekelle were closed on Friday in anticipation of possible fighting, according to two residents. A diplomatic source told Reuters that senior TPLF leaders had already left Mekelle. Reuters said spokespeople for Ethiopia's military, its government and the TPLF did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

TPLF chairperson Debretsion Gebremichael acknowledged on Thursday that federal forces had occupied parts of Tigray and said his forces would counter-attack "in due course". "We should ensure that Tigray is their graveyard, not their playground," he said, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.

Reuters reported on Friday that the pro-government Tigray Peace Forces militia claimed it had captured Milazat, about 20km south-east of Mekelle. Two Mekelle residents told Reuters that banks and shops were closed on Friday for fear of fighting. The claim could not be independently verified.

Al Jazeera reports that the commander of the Tigray Peace Forces said on social media late on Thursday that TPLF forces had been wiped out. Al Jazeera said the claim could not be independently verified. TPLF chairperson Debretsion Gebremichael acknowledged that federal forces had entered some areas of the region and said his forces would counter-attack in due course.

Al Jazeera says government forces have advanced to within about 40km of Mekelle and that thousands of civilians have fled the city. It says TPLF fighters have pulled back to new defensive positions and some of their leaders have left Mekelle, with electricity and internet cut in the region.

Reuters says the Tigray Peace Forces militia announced it had captured Maychew, about 75km south of Mekelle, in coordination with federal troops. Spokespeople for the Ethiopian army and the TPLF declined to comment.

Al Jazeera reported on 1 October that thousands of residents were fleeing Mekelle as federal forces advanced to within about 40 kilometres of the city, and that electricity and internet services had been cut across the region.

The EEPA situation report of 1 October said an airstrike hit Axum on Wednesday morning, closing schools and sending students home, and that residents reported heavy drone activity over the town and gathered at the church of St Mary of Zion. The report said network and internet service in Axum was intermittent on Wednesday evening. The account could not be independently verified.

The pro-government Tigray Peace Forces militia said on Thursday that it had captured the Tigrayan town of Maychew, about 75 kilometres south of Mekelle, alongside the Ethiopian army. Reuters said it could not independently verify the claim.

Al Jazeera's Muhammed Taha Tawakel reported on Wednesday that government forces had advanced to within about 40 kilometres of Mekelle, that the TPLF had pulled its fighters back to new positions and some of its leaders had moved out of the city, and that electricity and internet services in the region had been cut. He said thousands of civilians had fled Mekelle fearing clashes. The account could not be independently verified.

Reuters reported that the pro-government Tigray Peace Forces militia said on Wednesday that it had captured the Tigrayan town of Korem, about 100km south of Mekelle, alongside the Ethiopian military. Reuters said it could not independently confirm battlefield reports.

Wazema Radio reported on 1 October that fighting on 30 September was taking place around Mehoni, about 75km from Mekelle, Maychew, about 120km away, and Samre, about 70km south of the Tigrayan capital, and that the combat was moving closer to Mekelle. The report could not be independently verified.

The BBC reported on 30 September that banking services are suspended across Tigray and that internet and phone lines are cut. A resident told the BBC there was "no banking service, no money transfer, no power, no internet, no phone".

The Tigray Communication Affairs Bureau issued a statement dated 29 September, published on 30 September, saying the Tigray Army and allied forces were continuing operations on all fronts according to plan. The bureau said communities were under aerial attack, drone strikes and other bombardment, apologised for the interruption to its communications, and said information about the fighting was often incomplete or difficult to verify. Its account could not be independently verified.

EFE reported on 29 September that a senior commander of the Tigray Peace Force, a pro-government Tigrayan militia, said federal and allied forces had surrounded Samre, about 70km from Mekelle, and taken control of Yechila and Korem. The commander said enemy forces had been forced to withdraw after heavy fighting on several fronts. A TPLF commander denied that the towns had been lost. EFE said it could not independently verify either account.

Wazema Radio reported on 30 September that federal troops captured Niraq, the administrative seat of Abergele district in Waghemra zone of Amhara region, on 29 September. Wazema said the area had been under the control of Tigray forces and allied Agaw militia for more than five months. The report could not be independently verified.

Al Jazeera reported on 30 September, citing government-linked sources and military observers, that federal forces had advanced more than 150km into Tigray and taken Mekoni, Wajena and Adi Gudom, the last about 39km from Mekelle. The report could not be independently verified.