Ethiopian federal police move in as rebel forces quit Tigray capital

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 12:55 · Archive

Ethiopian federal police have moved into Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, after the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front withdrew.

Ethiopian federal police deployed across Mekelle on Friday, the capital of Tigray in the country's north, after anti-government forces withdrew over the weekend. The rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front announced its pullout following renewed fighting that escalated late last month.

The TPLF had joined six other opposition groups in an alliance seeking to oust Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The rebels had seized Mekelle airport and the city, one of Ethiopia's largest, before withdrawing to apparently spare the city from destruction. The pullout undermined the 2022 peace deal that had ended a previous two-year war.

Federal police called on residents over loudspeakers to help establish a new administration. Members of a new civilian administration had arrived on Thursday but were awaiting instructions, whilst local government offices remained shut. The government-allied Tigray Peace Force, which includes former members of the TPLF's armed wing, has taken charge of security and imposed an overnight curfew. Tigray's television and radio stations have been off the air since the TPLF's withdrawal.

How it is being reported

• Ethiopian police ask residents in Tigray regional capital to help restore order after rebel pulloutEthiopia's federal police are driving through the regional capital of Tigray after anti-government forces withdrew over the weekend following renewed fighting, and calling on resident over loudspeakers to help establish a new administration.Clickorlando · 9 Oct, 08:40
• Ethiopian police ask residents in Tigray regional capital to help restore order after rebel pulloutEthiopia's federal police are driving through the regional capital of Tigray after anti-government forces withdrew over the weekend following renewed fighting, and calling on resident over loudspeakers to help establish a new administration.News4Jax · 9 Oct, 08:40

In this story: Tigray People's Liberation Front · Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed · Mekelle · Tigray · Ethiopia · Tigray Peace Force

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