Afripoli

Ethiopian forces near Tigray capital as militia takes Milazat

3 October 2026

The Tigray Peace Forces (TPF), a pro-government militia, said on 2 October it had captured Milazat, about 20 kilometres south-east of Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia’s Tigray region. Its commander claimed the forces of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) had been wiped out; the claim cannot be verified while communications with Tigray remain cut. Residents said banks and shops in Mekelle had closed and some senior TPLF leaders had left. A battle for the city would push more civilians into Afar and Amhara and raise pressure on Eritrea, which shares an 800-kilometre border with Tigray. Watch whether federal forces enter Mekelle or negotiate its handover.

Security · Tags: Ethiopia, Eritrea, Tigray People’s Liberation Front, Tigray Peace Forces · Related: Ethiopian troops reportedly close in on Tigray’s capital (1 October)

Sources

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