Tigrayan rebel forces have taken control of Alula Aba Nega Airport in Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia’s Tigray region, prompting Ethiopian Airlines to suspend flights to Mekelle, Axum and Shire immediately. Local and security sources confirmed the takeover on Wednesday, while airport staff were sent home after operations stopped at the key northern facility.
The airport normally has federal police protection, making the seizure a sharp escalation in tensions between Tigray authorities and the federal government. The disruption also comes as security conditions in the region deteriorate amid renewed fighting involving federal forces. Ethiopian Airlines did not indicate when services would resume, leaving regular air links to Tigray grounded for the time being.