MEKELLE, Ethiopia — The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has withdrawn its fighters from Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, as renewed clashes with federal and allied forces intensify.

The TPLF said on Saturday that the withdrawal was temporary and intended to reduce the risk of destruction and civilian casualties in the city.

Government-allied forces, including fighters from the Tigray Peace Force, subsequently entered Mekelle and took control of key positions, including the airport, according to residents and humanitarian sources.

TPLF says fighting will continue

The withdrawal from Mekelle does not appear to signal an end to the conflict.

TPLF chairman Debretsion Gebremichael has said his forces will continue fighting from other areas, while clashes have been reported across parts of Tigray and the neighboring Afar and Amhara regions.

Telecommunications and mobile services have begun returning in parts of Mekelle after disruptions made it difficult to independently verify developments on the ground.

Residents have also reported looting at some government buildings during the TPLF withdrawal.

Renewed Tigray fighting threatens 2022 peace deal

The latest escalation has raised fresh concerns over the November 2022 peace agreement that ended two years of war between Ethiopia’s federal government and the TPLF.

That conflict devastated much of northern Ethiopia before the two sides signed the agreement aimed at ending hostilities.

The renewed fighting has also deepened tensions between Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea.

Eritrea severed diplomatic relations with Ethiopia last week after Addis Ababa accused Asmara of supporting opposition forces. Eritrea has denied the allegations.