Tigray official urges rebels to disarm

Rebel commander pledged to continue fighting government-allied forces who seized Ethiopia’s Tigray capital.Published On 23 Oct 202623 Oct 2026An official in Tigray’s new federally backed administration has urged rebel forces to lay down their weapons in the northern Ethiopian region.The call on Friday came hours after a rebel commander told his fighters to continue resisting government-backed forces despite losing control of Mekelle, the Tigray region’s capital.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Ethiopian forces expand control in Tigray as militia claims Eritrean losseslist 2 of 3Ethiopia announces instalment of interim government in Tigraylist 3 of 3Can diplomacy resolve longstanding Ethiopia-Eritrea differences?end of listFighters from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) were forced to withdraw from Mekelle in early October, after government-allied fighters entered the city to crush a rebel attempt to overthrow Ethiopia’s government.Ethiopia’s government then installed a six-month caretaker administration in Tigray, promising to restore services, help displaced people return and prepare for elections.But some fighting has continued, with Mekelle residents repor...