# Ethiopian Troops Retake Mekelle Airport

> Ethiopian forces regain Mekelle airport from TPLF amid regional tensions.
- Title: Ethiopian Troops Retake Mekelle Airport · The Rio Times
- Summary: Ethiopian forces regain Mekelle airport from TPLF amid regional tensions. Ethiopian federal forces retook Mekelle airport and city from TPLF on October 3…
- Keywords: ethiopian troops, mekelle airport, tplf, tigray, ethiopia, red sea trade route, eritrea, diplomatic crisis, news, world, politics, Ethiopian
- Source: The Rio Times — https://riotimesonline.com/ethiopian-troops-retake-mekelle-airport-2026
- Author: Samuel Ncube
- Published: 2026-10-03T22:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ethiopian troops, mekelle airport, tplf, tigray, ethiopia, red sea trade route, eritrea, diplomatic crisis, news, world, politics
## What happened
Ethiopian federal forces retook Alula Aba Nega Airport in Mekelle, the Tigray capital, on October 3, 2026.
## Who controls Mekelle
Government and allied forces now control Mekelle, while TPLF says it retreated and will temporarily relocate its regional government.
## Human cost
MSF reports over 720 wounded since September 22, with Al Jazeera citing at least 52 civilian deaths.
## Why it matters
The conflict threatens Red Sea trade routes, as the US lifted Eritrea sanctions on September 19 citing regional interests.
## Who is fighting
Ethiopian National Defence Force, TPLF with allies, and Tigray Peace Force aligned with federal forces.
## Regional impact
Fighting spread to Amhara and Afar regions, with Alamata changing hands and 270 Tigrayan fighters reportedly killed.
## Diplomatic crisis
Eritrea cut diplomatic ties with Ethiopia after Addis Ababa expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats on October 1.
## What is unknown
Exact timing of airport control, TPLF's new base, and whether Eritrea will join fighting remain unconfirmed.
## Humanitarian crisis
Over 150,000 displaced in Afar, hospitals overwhelmed, and drone strikes causing surge in wounded.
## US policy
US lifted Eritrea sanctions on September 19, but Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of backing armed opposition.
## Next steps
Ethiopia's new government convenes on October 5 to form federal government after TPLF retreat.
## What happened next
TPLF claims retreat from Mekelle, but independent verification impossible due to communications blackout.
## Why it matters to US
US lifted Eritrea sanctions on September 19, but Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of backing armed opposition.
## Consequence
Ethiopia's new government convenes on October 5 to form federal government after TPLF retreat.
## Key takeaway

Ethiopian federal forces retook Mekelle airport and city from TPLF on October 3, 2026, after TPLF claimed retreat and regional government relocation.