Tigrayan rebels seize airport and clash with Ethiopian federal troops in Afar region

In Ethiopia, Tigrayan rebels seized control of Mekelle airport and clashed with federal troops in the Afar region on Wednesday, escalating tensions that had simmered since the 2020-2022 war. Ethiopian Airlines canceled all flights to Tigray airports, citing the current situation. The clashes came three days after seven opposition groups, including the Tigray People's Liberation Front, formed an alliance to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The renewed fighting raises fears of a return to full-scale war, with the region still recovering from the previous conflict and about 1 million people displaced.