Ethiopian troops and allied militia seize Aksum as Eritrean forces pull back

Ethiopian federal forces, supported by the pro-government Tigray Peace Force, reported that they had entered the historic city of Aksum and captured several strategic towns in the northern Tigray region. The militia claimed Eritrean troops incurred substantial casualties and were retreating toward the border, a statement refuted by Eritrea’s information minister as false. Independent conflict tracker ACLED documented the movements of Ethiopian units and the withdrawal of Eritrean forces through Zalambessa, while also noting the deployment of tanks toward the border.

Residents of Zalambessa described a week without electricity or water and a sense of deep anxiety amid the fighting. Earlier this month, Ethiopian forces seized the regional capital Mekelle and reclaimed Adwa and Adigrat without resistance. In response to the escalating situation, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Prime Minister Abiy, urging both sides to avoid further conflict.