GENEVA — Ethiopian President Sahle‑Work Zewde warned on Wednesday that the Tigray rebel offensive could bring “destruction” to the region, after the rebels seized several regional airports and engaged in heavy clashes with government forces, according to reports from Aljazeera and Arabnews.
Tigray rebels seize airports, clash with government forces
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and allied rebel groups reportedly captured the airports at Mekelle, Adwa and Shire, cutting off air access to the northern region. The seizure was followed by skirmishes with Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) that left at least 12 soldiers and 8 rebels dead, according to local security sources cited by Arabnews.
In a televised address, President Zewde said the government had “shown restraint despite interference” and that the military was committed to restoring order. She added that the offensive posed a threat to civilian life and infrastructure, echoing a statement from the Ministry of Defense that the ENDF had deployed additional troops to the Tigray border.
The TPLF, which ruled Ethiopia from 1991 to 2018, has re‑emerged as a major insurgent force. The group’s leadership claimed that the offensive was a response to the federal government’s alleged human rights violations in the region. The rebels also announced the formation of a new alliance with six other Ethiopian rebel groups, a move reported by Ratopati, which could broaden the conflict beyond Tigray.
According to the Aljazeera video feed, the rebels used improvised explosive devices and artillery to breach airport security perimeters. The footage also shows ENDF troops engaging in close‑quarters combat with rebel fighters in the airport’s terminal area. The video was posted by Accredited Wire on 23 September 2026 at 20:37:18 UTC.
Arabnews reported that the seizure of the airports disrupted humanitarian aid flights that had been operating under the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The UN has warned that the conflict could jeopardise the delivery of essential supplies to thousands of civilians in Tigray.
In a separate statement, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government was in contact with the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) to seek diplomatic support. The AU’s Secretary‑General, Nkosazana Dlamini‑Zuma, issued a call for an immediate ceasefire, urging both sides to engage in dialogue.
The rebels’ alliance, announced by Ratopati, includes the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), the Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement (SEPM), the Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM), the Sidama National Liberation Front (SNLF), the Gurage Liberation Front (GLF) and the Tigray Liberation Front (TLF). The coalition’s objective is to overthrow the current Ethiopian government, according to the report.
Security analysts note that the seizure of airports could give the rebels a strategic advantage, allowing them to bring in supplies and possibly receive external support. However, the Ethiopian government has denied any foreign assistance to the rebels and has called on international partners to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs.
President Zewde’s warning comes amid growing international concern over the humanitarian situation in Tigray. The UN has documented widespread displacement, food shortages and reports of civilian casualties. The Ethiopian government has repeatedly denied allegations of war crimes and has stated that it is conducting a lawful military operation to restore stability.
In the days following the offensive, the Ethiopian government announced the deployment of a joint task force comprising the ENDF, the Federal Police, and the Ethiopian National Intelligence and Security Service (INSS) to the Tigray region. The task force aims to secure key transportation hubs and restore government control over the seized airports.
International observers have called for a neutral monitoring mission to assess the situation on the ground. The UN Security Council has scheduled a meeting for 30 September to discuss the escalating conflict and potential humanitarian interventions.
Meanwhile, the Ethiopian diaspora community in the United Kingdom has organized a protest in London, demanding an end to the violence and urging the UK government to impose sanctions on the Ethiopian government. The protest was organized by the Ethiopian Community Association of the UK (ECAUK).
In a statement released by the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington, the ambassador said the government was committed to a peaceful resolution and that it would engage with all stakeholders to achieve a durable solution. The embassy also urged the international community to respect Ethiopia’s sovereignty.
The conflict’s escalation has raised concerns about regional stability, as neighboring Eritrea and Sudan have expressed apprehension over the potential spillover of violence. The Ethiopian government has reiterated that it is not seeking external involvement and that the conflict is an internal matter.
As the situation unfolds, the international community remains watchful. The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire and the safe passage of humanitarian aid. The African Union has urged both sides to engage in dialogue and to avoid further escalation.
