Tigray rebels have seized airports and clashed with Ethiopian government forces in renewed fighting in Ethiopia's Tigray region.

What it means

The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the dominant political force in Ethiopia's Tigray region, has launched a major military offensive against the federal government, seizing control of three airports in the region and declaring a state of 'full-blown war.' This marks a dramatic escalation in the ongoing conflict, breaking a fragile ceasefire that had held since the end of the 2020-2022 Tigray War.

Accuracy & sourcesSourced

The claim is well-supported by multiple reputable news outlets (AFP, BBC, The Guardian, Al Jazeera) all citing TPLF statements and reports of airport seizures. The primary source is the TPLF's own declaration and actions, reported by AFP wire service and then amplified by France 24 and others. The consistency across outlets and the specific detail of three airports being seized adds to the reliability.

How new

Genuinely new: the events occurred on September 23-24, 2026, and are being reported within hours, with no indication of older material resurfacing.

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