# Ethiopian civil war escalation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ethiopian-civil-war-escalation
> Updated: 2026-09-23T12:14:52.000Z. Sources: 42. Developments: 2.

Conflict in northern Ethiopia has escalated into a new civil war following the announcement by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) that it has entered a defensive war against the federal government. The TPLF has formed an alliance with six other armed groups with the stated goal of overthrowing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration.

Tigrayan forces have reportedly seized control of federal-run airports in the Tigray region, including Alula Aba Nega Airport in Mekelle. This has led Ethiopian Airlines to suspend all scheduled flights to Mekelle, Axum, and Shire. Military offensives have also been reported in the neighboring Afar and Amhara regions, with Tigrayan forces reportedly fighting alongside the Fano militia in Amhara.

The resurgence of hostilities follows months of rising tensions and accusations of peace treaty violations. The current fighting threatens the stability of the 2022 Pretoria Agreement. Recent reports indicate the use of drone strikes and artillery in the region, including an attack in the southern town of Alamatu that reportedly killed at least 14 people.

## Claims

- Ethiopian Airlines suspended all scheduled flights to Mekelle, Axum, and Shire. (corroborated by 26 sources)
- Tigrayan forces reportedly seized control of Alula Aba Nega Airport in Mekelle. (corroborated by 25 sources)
- The 2020-2022 conflict in Ethiopia resulted in approximately 600,000 deaths according to African Union estimates. (corroborated by 13 sources)
- The TPLF announced an alliance with six other armed groups to overthrow the federal government. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- TPLF forces launched an offensive against government positions in Afar and Amhara regions. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The Ethiopian military has conducted several drone strikes against Tigrayan forces in recent months. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Clashes occurred on the evening of September 22 in the Tonsa kebele of the Megale district. (single source)
- The border clash involved Tigray regional forces against a combination of the Tigray Peace Force, Ethiopian federal forces, and Afar militia. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-23: Tigray forces launch offensive against Ethiopian federal government

Tigrayan forces have launched a full-scale offensive against Ethiopia's federal government, seizing regional airports and forming an alliance with six armed groups to target the administration in Addis Ababa.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tigray-forces-launch-offensive-against-ethiopian-federal-government

### 2026-09-23: Tigrayan forces seize Mekelle airport amid escalating conflict

Tigrayan forces have reportedly seized Mekelle airport and launched offensives in Afar and Amhara, prompting Ethiopian Airlines to suspend flights to the Tigray region amid fears of renewed civil war.

36 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tigrayan-forces-seize-mekelle-airport-prompting-flight-suspensions

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Cite as: Ethiopian civil war escalation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ethiopian-civil-war-escalation