Armed conflict

Ethiopia: Tigray Rebels Seize Govt Offices in Key Towns

MAR 15 2025·Updated MAR 16 2025

Story

Above: Getachew Reda and Debretsion Gebremichael at the African Union headquarters on Feb. 16, 2025. Image credit: Amanuel Sileshi/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

A dissident faction of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) led by Debretsion Gebremichel took over key government buildings in towns, including Mekele and Adigrat, the two main cities in Tigray, in an offensive last week.
BBC News
Borkena
On Wednesday, the interim administration of Tigray asked Ethiopia's federal government for support and the international community to monitor the situation closely amid concerns over a potential coup attempt and a return to civil war.
ap
The TPLF split into two factions last August, with the one under Debretsion and the other under the interim regional government of Getachew Reda at odds ever since. Debretsion expelled Getachew and four cabinet members from the party, and the government suspended alleged Debretsion-aligned military commanders.
ap
Anadolu Ajansı
Tigray's interim regional administration was established in 2023 as part of the 2022 Pretoria Agreement to end the two-year fighting between the TPLF and the federal government, and is set to remain in power until new elections are held.
Reuters
IGAD
Renewed tensions in Tigray have fueled rumors that Eritrea could be supporting the dissident faction to weaken its longtime rival Ethiopia from within. Eritrea, however, rejects the allegations.
BBC News
Borkena
Critical Threats
More than two dozen Western foreign missions, including the US, called for a de-escalation in Tigray and reasserted its support for the Pretoria Agreement in a joint statement on Thursday. Meanwhile, the African Union said that adherence to the treaty is key to peace.
African Union
Anadolu Ajansı

Sources Split

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CENTER

RIGHT

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CRIT

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ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

These latest developments in Tigray further suggest that Ethiopia and Eritrea are on the brink of another conflict, especially against the backdrop of a nationwide military mobilization in Eritrea and the deployment of Ethiopian forces to the border. As their proxies fight in Tigray, it's just a matter of time before a war breaks out.

Reuters

Narrative B

Despite the latest developments in the region, there's no reason to worry about a conflict in Tigray. Disagreements between Tigray's interim administration and the Debretsion faction are political, which means that only dialogue and negotiations, not military force, can lead to a lasting solution.

Addis Standard