Ethiopia federal troops enter strategic rebel city

The Shire, a city in Tigray, has been entered by Ethiopian federal soldiers and their allies, marking a significant advance since violence broke out again in August, shattering a five-month truce.

Tigrayan troops have pledged to keep fighting and have called the government forces' presence in the city "temporary."

With an estimated 100,000 residents, Shire is one of Tigray's main urban areas.

It is one of four cities in the area with an airport and serves as the administrative hub for Tigray's northwest.

It has been housing tens of thousands of refugees who left other areas of western Tigray after the war broke out in November 2020. Many people have found refuge in impromptu camps on college and high school campuses.

The historic cities of Axum and Adwa are two other sizable cities that are less than 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the Shire.

The federal government may make its way to Axum and Adwa, which would give them access to the main road leading to Mekelle, the regional capital of Tigray.

The Tigrayan forces have welcomed appeals from the African Union for an end to hostilities, but the federal administration has stated that it will attempt to seize airports and other "federal facilities" in Tigray.

After nearly two months of heavy warfare, this suggests rising confidence and also warns that the violence may continue.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed claimed in August that aircraft carrying weapons were making nighttime landings in the Shire, likely to support Tigrayan forces.

Mr. Abiy omitted to mention the origin of the flights.

As an additional explanation for the decision to restrict airports, the government's information office on Monday accused Tigrayan forces of conspiring with unidentified "hostile" foreign entities to violate Ethiopia's airspace.