An Ethiopian Airlines aircraft is pictured on the tarmac at an airport as the carrier temporarily suspends flights to Mekelle, Axum and Shire in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. Photo: Capital FM

NNA News - Ethiopian Airlines has temporarily suspended flights to Mekelle, Axum and Shire in northern Ethiopia’s Tigray region, citing the “current situation” as renewed political and security tensions raise concerns about a return to wider conflict.

The state-owned carrier said the suspension took effect on Wednesday but did not give a specific date for the resumption of services. Reuters reported that the airline announced the decision on social media, while its booking system had previously shown scheduled services to the affected destinations. “Ethiopian Airlines has temporarily suspended flights to Mekele, Axum, and Shire effective today, due to the current situation in the Tigray region,” the carrier said in a statement reported by AFP.

The suspension came hours after security and local sources told Reuters and AFP that Tigrayan forces had taken control of Alula Aba Nega Airport in Mekelle from federal police. Reuters said two local sources confirmed the reported takeover, while AFP said the information was also confirmed by a security source at a Western embassy.

An airport employee told AFP that staff were instructed to return home after being informed that Tigrayan forces had taken control of the airport. “Since there were no flights, he told us to return home,” the employee said, describing instructions given by a supervisor after the reported takeover.

The developments follow the formation on Sunday of the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival, bringing together seven political and armed groups, including the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, the Amhara Fano National Movement and the Oromo Liberation Army. The coalition has said it seeks to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government and establish a transitional administration.

TPLF spokesperson Michael Asgedom told the Associated Press that cooperation within the alliance had both political and military dimensions. “Joint military operations may become necessary to achieve the objective of removing the dictatorial regime,” Asgedom said. He also said the 2022 peace agreement was “no longer valid”.

The Ethiopian government has not immediately responded publicly to the reported takeover of Mekelle airport. Reuters said its requests for comment from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s spokesperson, the federal government and the TPLF had not received immediate responses.

The United Nations has separately expressed concern over the worsening security situation. UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Monday that the organisation was concerned about the formation of the armed-group coalition and reports of continued insecurity and drone strikes. “At a time of heightened tensions, we urge all stakeholders to refrain from actions or rhetoric that could further escalate the situation,” Dujarric said. “We also urge them to recommit to dialogue.” “Military action will not resolve political differences or address underlying grievances,” he added, while reaffirming UN support for African Union-led efforts to reduce tensions and advance implementation of the Pretoria Agreement.

The November 2022 Pretoria Agreement ended the two-year Tigray war between federal forces and the TPLF and provided for the restoration of federal authority and public services in the region. The latest airport developments, alongside renewed clashes and reported drone strikes, have brought renewed scrutiny to the implementation and durability of the agreement.

For Ethiopian Airlines, the suspension represents a renewed disruption to air connectivity with Tigray. The carrier had previously restored services to the region following the 2022 peace agreement, after flights had been suspended for more than a year.