War returns to Ethiopia as Tigray launches major offensive

Tigrayan forces launched a major offensive against Ethiopia’s federal government on Wednesday, seizing three airports and clashing with federal troops in multiple locations, in what leaders on both sides say marks the start of a new war.

The TPLF-led Tigray regional government said it had “entered a defensive war” to counter what it called an invasion by federal forces, accusing them of “intensive bombardments” with aircraft, drones and artillery on Tuesday. Getachew Reda, an adviser to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and a former TPLF official, countered on X that the TPLF had “launched an all-out offensive” against government positions in the neighbouring Afar and Amhara regions and taken over federally controlled airports in Tigray.

Tigrayan forces seized the airports at Mekelle — including Alula Aba Nega — Shire and Axum, prompting Ethiopian Airlines to suspend flights to all three.

Fighting was reported in Afar at Abala and Berahle, with shelling along the Amhara border, where sources said Tigrayan forces were fighting alongside the Fano militia — their battlefield enemies during the 2020–2022 war.

The offensive follows Sunday’s announcement of the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival, a seven-group coalition led by the TPLF aiming to overthrow Abiy’s government. The 2020–2022 civil war killed about 600,000 people, according to the African Union, and the Pretoria Agreement that ended it had been under strain for months, with each side accusing the other of violations. Addis Ababa accuses Eritrea of financially backing the alliance; Asmara denies the allegation.

Sources

• Reuters: Why new war in Ethiopia’s Tigray threatens to trigger wider conflict — https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/why-new-war-ethiopias-tigray-threatens-trigger-wider-conflict-2026-09-23/
• The Straits Times: Tigrayan leaders say new war with Ethiopian government has begun, as fighting erupts — https://www.straitstimes.com/world/tigrayan-leaders-say-new-war-with-ethiopian-government-has-begun-as-fighting-erupts
• Al Jazeera: Tigray forces launch offensive against Ethiopian government — https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2026/9/23/ethiopian-airlines-suspends-flights-to-three-northern-tigray-airports
• AFP (via Free Malaysia Today): Ethiopia’s Tigray rebels seize airports, clash with govt forces — https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/09/23/ethiopia-s-tigray-rebels-seize-airport-clash-with-govt-forces