Ethiopian forces enter Adwa as Tigray offensive advances

Ethiopian government forces have entered the strategic town of Adwa in northern Tigray, according to residents, after fighters from the Tigray People's Liberation Front withdrew. The move came days after federal forces captured Adigrat and as flights resumed to Mekelle, the regional capital, signalling a rapid shift in control across the area. Residents said federal troops and an allied militia entered Adwa on Sunday without a fight.

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The town lies about 40km from Eritrea's border, making it a sensitive location in a region that has seen repeated military movement. A TPLF vice president declined to comment on the development. One resident said the roads were deserted and people were afraid of theft, while another said government forces had been deployed but had not yet reached the town centre.

Residents also reported looting overnight at government institutions, including Adwa Hospital, after the withdrawal of TPLF fighters. The reports point to immediate disruption for civilians as control changes hands. The situation remains fluid, with local accounts suggesting that the security picture in the town is still unsettled despite the entry of federal forces.

The advance matters because Adwa sits within a wider contest for authority in Tigray, where control of towns, transport links and administrative centres has shifted quickly in recent days. Mekelle's airport and flight connections have reopened after earlier fighting, underlining the importance of logistics and mobility in the conflict. The developments also come after a renewed offensive involving Ethiopian forces and allied fighters, raising the stakes for civilians and local institutions.

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There is also a broader military context. Conflict monitor ACLED said Ethiopian drone strikes hit a hotel in Adwa on 4 October, wounding between five and nine people, including security personnel. Some sources cited by ACLED suggested senior TPLF figures may have been at the hotel, but that information was not verified.

The report adds to evidence that Adwa had already been under pressure before the latest ground movement. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of backing the rebel alliance, while Khartoum and Cairo have denied involvement. Eritrea fought alongside Ethiopia's federal army in the 2020-2022 war, but the current situation remains highly fluid and the full extent of control in Adwa is not yet clear.

It is also unclear how far federal forces have advanced inside the town and whether the withdrawal of TPLF fighters will hold. The next developments to watch are the security situation in Adwa, any official confirmation of territorial control, and whether the recent gains in northern Tigray are sustained.

#Ethiopia #Tigray #Adwa #TPLF #Mekelle

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