Source: BBC Tigrinya

Members of Army 31 of the TDF encircled the office of Tigray Interim Regional Administration yesterday in the morning. 

Then General Fisseha, Head of Peace and Security and Vice President and TPLF Executive Committee member Amanuel discussed with the armed groups that resulted their return to their military base in Aragure.

Other members of TDF came through the line of Quiha to Mekelle in the afternoon.

Following that and explosion was heard around the Tigray Martyrs Museum where the main office of TPLF is situated. 

Then DW, Tigray Television and FM stopped their broadcast. 

I confirmed armed groups from the TDF ordered all the staff of DW media to leave the office abruptly in the afternoon that caused the media stop its broadcast for hours. BBC also confirmed this.

This second group of troops encircled the office of Tigray Interim Regional Administration until the late afternoon. 

Mekelle Crisis Sparks Fears of New Conflict in Tigray

Source: Ethio Negari

ethionegari@gmail.comDecember 5, 20250 Comments

Residents Voice Deep Concern Over Rising Tension Among Tigray Militants

Residents of Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region, say they are increasingly worried about growing tensions involving armed Tigray militants. According to several residents, unrest over the past three days has heightened fear across the city.

Residents who spoke to us reported seeing militants entering Mekelle armed and moving toward key government facilities. The area around the regional president’s office has been particularly tense.

A resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said, “We have raised concerns several times, but no one has listened. People are exhausted by war. They are saying, ‘Enough of internal conflict.’ We have run out of patience.”

According to locals, the militants began entering the city on the evening of December 3, 2025, reportedly demanding payment of their salaries. They have surrounded the president’s office for the past two days, blocking access and escalating the standoff.

The militants have also taken control of several regional government-owned media outlets Tigray Television, Dimtsi Woyane, and Citi FM radio forcing employees who were on duty to evacuate the premises.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion followed by gunfire around the presidential office yesterday. However, no official information has been released regarding the source of the explosion or whether there were casualties.

Residents and political observers say the ongoing instability is contributing to rising commodity prices, market disruptions, and renewed fears that the region could slide back into conflict.

Neither the regional government nor the federal government has issued an official statement. Authorities reportedly said they are in discussions with the militants and will release information once the talks conclude.

The northern Ethiopia war began four years ago after the TPLF launched an attack on the Northern Command of the Ethiopian National Defense Force.

The conflict, which stretched across Tigray, Amhara, and Afar regions, resulted in the deaths of more than 500,000 people and caused an estimated $20 billion in damage, according to a Ministry of Finance report at the time.

Although the African Union brokered a peace deal between the federal government and the TPLF in Pretoria, South Africa, both sides have since accused each other of violating the agreement.

Tensions have worsened following the National Election Board of Ethiopia’s suspension of the TPLF and internal divisions that have split the party into two factions. These developments have fueled concerns that Tigray may face another round of conflict.

The federal government has also accused the TPLF of maintaining illegal ties with Eritrea and supporting armed groups within Ethiopia allegations the TPLF denies.

Meanwhile, the TPLF has issued a statement declaring that no elections will be held in Tigray while the party remains suspended by the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE).

The federal government, however, is preparing for the 7th national election, scheduled for June 2026, which it plans to conduct across all regions, including Tigray.