Ethiopian govt forces enter key Tigray town near Eritrea border

Ethiopian government forces have entered the town of Adwa without a fight, days after capturing Adigrat from rebel fighters, according to witnesses. The town is located in the country's northern Tigray region, roughly 40km from Eritrea's border.

Residents of Adwa reported that federal forces and an allied militia entered the town on Sunday, a day after the withdrawal of fighters from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). All shops in the town are closed, and many government institutions, including Adwa Hospital, were looted last night.

Conflict monitor ACLED reported that Ethiopian drone strikes targeted a hotel in Adwa on October 4, wounding between five and nine people, including security personnel. Some ACLED sources indicated that TPLF Chairman Debretsion Gebremichael and other senior officials were at the hotel, but stressed the information had not been verified.

The TPLF forces withdrew from Adwa, but government forces have not yet reached the centre of the town. Residents are afraid of theft, and the roads are deserted. Ethiopian Airlines resumed flights to Tigray's capital, Mekelle, on Sunday, for the first time since September 23.

Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt of backing the rebel alliance. Khartoum and Cairo have denied involvement. Eritrea, which fought alongside Ethiopia's federal army in the 2020-2022 war, severed diplomatic ties with Ethiopia over the accusations last week.