International Crisis Group (ICG) warns that Ethiopia is "slipping into renewed war" after rebel group the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and its allies launched a coordinated offensive against the Ethiopian federal government.
Large-scale ground fighting between the TPLF and government forces began last week, when the TPLF took over three Tigray airports that had been under federal control in Mekelle (pictured).
TPLF forces also retook the major towns of Axum and Shire, replacing the federal police stationed with their own forces without a fight. The federal government has cancelled all flights to the Tigray region.
"Responsibility for the escalation lies primarily with the TPLF, which launched ground assaults in coordination with other rebels with whom it has joined hands in a new alliance that vows to overthrow Ethiopia's government," ICG researchers write.
Originally published by African Business.