oluwatosin oyeniyi ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Ethiopian federal forces and allied militias have claimed the capture of Alamata, a strategically important town in southern Tigray, as fighting between government troops and Tigrayan forces threatens to push the region back into a wider conflict.
A pro-government Tigrayan militia, the Tigrai Peace Force, said on Monday that federal troops and allied forces had entered Alamata. Video released by the group showed soldiers moving through the town carrying Ethiopian flags, although Reuters could not independently verify the footage.
Two diplomatic sources also confirmed that Alamata had fallen, while a third said government forces had entered the town but that it was not yet clear whether they had established full control. Ethiopian military and Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) representatives had not immediately responded to requests for comment.
The development follows a major offensive launched by Tigrayan forces last week and marks another escalation in northern Ethiopia after years of fragile peace.
Why Alamata matters
Alamata lies in southern Tigray near the border with the neighbouring Amhara region and is an important supply route for troops, food and fuel.
Its location also gives it strategic value for any forces seeking to advance towards Mekelle, Tigray’s regional capital, about 120 kilometres to the north, according to Reuters. The town changed hands several times during Ethiopia’s devastating 2020–2022 civil war.
Control of Alamata could therefore provide federal forces with a stronger position as they attempt to contain the TPLF offensive and secure routes into southern Tigray.
The reported capture comes after Tigrayan forces seized several airports and launched attacks into neighbouring Afar and Amhara regions. The fighting has spread across multiple fronts, increasing the possibility of a wider conflict.
A fragile peace agreement under pressure
The latest fighting represents the most serious deterioration in Ethiopia’s northern security situation since the 2022 Pretoria Agreement, which brought an end to the two-year Tigray war.
That conflict killed hundreds of thousands of people and created a major humanitarian emergency.
The peace agreement halted large-scale fighting, but several underlying disputes remained unresolved, including territorial questions, political tensions and the future security arrangements in Tigray.
Relations between the federal government and the TPLF have deteriorated again in recent months, with both sides accusing each other of violating the agreement.
The TPLF also announced an alliance with six other armed groups shortly before launching its latest offensive. The Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival includes groups from several regions that have previously fought both the federal government and one another.
The alliance has called for the removal of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government and the establishment of a transitional administration.
Communications blackout complicates verification
Information coming out of Tigray remains limited.
Telephone and internet services have been disrupted for several days, making it difficult for journalists, humanitarian organisations and residents outside the region to independently verify battlefield developments.
The communications disruption also raises concerns about the ability of civilians to access emergency information and contact relatives during fighting.
The United Nations has expressed concern about reports of drone use and civilian harm as the conflict has escalated.
Without reliable communications, casualty figures and claims of territorial control are likely to remain difficult to establish independently.
Humanitarian risks are growing
The renewed fighting comes as Tigray is still recovering from the humanitarian consequences of the previous war.
According to Reuters, about 750,000 people remained internally displaced in Tigray as of February, while the region is also experiencing drought conditions. The 2020–2022 conflict previously left hundreds of thousands facing severe food insecurity and restricted access to food, medicine and cash.
A prolonged escalation could therefore compound existing displacement and humanitarian needs.
There are also concerns that fighting in Tigray could affect neighbouring Amhara and Afar regions, while tensions involving Eritrea could widen the regional consequences.
Ethiopia’s military commander has accused Eritrea, Sudanese forces and Egypt of supporting groups fighting the federal government. Eritrea and Sudan’s army have denied the allegations, while Egypt has not immediately responded to the claims.
Preventing another humanitarian catastrophe
The immediate priority is to prevent the latest battlefield escalation from developing into another prolonged war.
That will require renewed channels of communication between the federal government and Tigrayan leadership, alongside efforts to protect civilians and maintain humanitarian access.
The African Union, which helped facilitate the 2022 peace process, also faces a significant test. Early-warning mechanisms can identify rising risks, but their value depends on whether warnings are followed by timely diplomatic intervention.
Independent monitoring of ceasefire commitments, protection of humanitarian corridors and the restoration of telecommunications would also help reduce the risks to civilians.
The parties will ultimately need to address the political and territorial disputes that remained unresolved after the Pretoria Agreement rather than allowing them to become drivers of another military confrontation.
For now, the reported capture of Alamata is an important battlefield development, but it is also a warning about how quickly Ethiopia’s fragile northern peace can deteriorate.
With communications disrupted and fighting continuing across several fronts, the immediate concern is whether the latest escalation can be contained before it develops into a conflict with consequences comparable to the devastating war that preceded the 2022 peace agreement.
