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Mekelle offensive
Part of the Tigray War
Map of the Mekelle offensive
Date 17–28 November 2020 Location Tigray Region, Ethiopia13°29′49″N 39°28′37″E / 13.49694°N 39.47694°E / 13.49694; 39.47694 Result Ethiopian victory Ethiopia captures multiple sites around the city of Mekelle Ethiopia captures Mekelle on 28 November after two days of battle, TPLF withdraws
Belligerents
Tigray	Ethiopia  Eritrea
Commanders and leaders
Debretsion Gebremichael (Chief Administrator of Tigray Region and TPLF Chairman) Getachew Reda (TPLF Spokesperson)	Abiy Ahmed (Prime Minister of Ethiopia) Birhanu Jula (ENDF Chief of Staff) Kenea Yadeta (Minister of Defence) Isaias Afewerki (President of Eritrea) Filipos Woldeyohannes (EDF Chief of Staff)
Units involved
Tigray Defence Forces	ENDF Ethiopian Ground Forces ETAF EDF Eritrean Army ERAF
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown
27 civilians killed, 100+ wounded (Mekelle anonymous doctors)

The Mekelle offensive was a military campaign fought at the start of the Tigray War between the national armed forces of Ethiopia and the Tigray Region. The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) launched an offensive aimed at seizing the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) controlled regional capital of Mekelle starting on 17 November 2020.

Fierce fighting occurred in the Wajirat district of Tigray between the ENDF and newly formed Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) as the military pushed towards the regional capital. The Ethiopian Air Force was heavily employed during the offensive, the use of drone strikes in particular, and after several weeks the TDF was routed into the mountains.

Mekelle itself came under air attack, and the city fell to the Ethiopian army on 28 November 2020, marking the end of the offensive. Despite their initial defeat, TDF fighters began organizing an insurgency soon after.

Course of offensive

Following the outbreak of the Tigray War on 3 November 2020, the newly formed Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) retreated to the gorges and hills of the Wajirat district of Tigray region. The 21st Division, a well trained element of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), was marching across Wajirat with the aim of capturing Tigray’s capital city, Mekelle. According to TDF accounts, local Wajirat militias and the TDF effectively destroyed the 21st Division during a defensive battle at a location known as Gereb-Agew.

After two days of fierce fighting, which saw the use of human wave attacks, the ENDF overran Wajirat district and mounted an offensive towards the strategic town of Hiwane in Raya district. For the TDF, withdrawing from Hiwane meant leaving the road to Mekelle open for the Ethiopian army. After fierce fighting for the town, the TDF forces were worn down by persistent air strikes and the introduction of drone attacks, which Tigray fighters struggled to counter. After the TDF succeeded in capturing heavy artillery pieces from the ENDF during the battle, drone strikes targeted and wiped them out.

After the ENDF and its allies took over the nearby towns of Hiwane and Adi Gudem, the TDF chain of command collapsed as its forces fell into disarray. Rumors were rife among the TDF ranks that top military commanders were secretly colluding with the Ethiopian government and most fighters lost hope of being able to hold Mekelle.

17 November

Mekelle was hit by an airstrike, killing two civilians and injuring several others. The strike also caused damage to roads, bridges and houses. Who carried out the airstrike has been disputed, as the Ethiopian government has denied targeting civilians.

Mortar fire and tank shells also fired upon civilian areas in the town of Shire; hotels, schools, a university campus, an apartment building and the town's own municipal building were hit by the strikes. A number of residents interviewed by Human Rights Watch either stated that Tigayan forces had either left before it occurred, or at the very least, "did not see militia forces present." Both Ethiopian and Eritrean forces were noted as entering Shire later that day.

The Ethiopian government accused the TPLF of blowing up four main bridges leading to Mekelle, which the TPLF denied. By the end of the first day, at least 10 civilians were killed.

18–22 November

Ethiopian forces captured Shire and Axum in the morning. Around 9 a.m., Ethiopian forces were advancing towards Mekelle by three roads from South, East and Northwest around 200 kilometers away from the city. The Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian Defense Force, Berhanu Jula, announced an intention to encircle Mekelle in order to capture TPLF forces. Fighting between Tigray and Eritrea reportedly took place in Adi Quala, Zalembesa, Taruna, Ali Tina, Wadqomdi, and Badme.

TPLF leader Debretsion said that Mekelle was bombed but gave no details of casualties or injuries. Redwan Hussein, a government spokesperson, said that government troops are closing in on Mekelle and had won multiple victories, capturing a number of towns on their campaign towards the Tigray capital. Mekelle was hit by an airstrike which inflicted significant damage on Mekelle University, injuring several civilians. By 21 November, government-allied forces captured Adwa, while making advances toward Adigrat.

22–27 November

Military spokesperson of Ethiopia, Colonel Dejene Tsegaye, announced that Mekelle will be encircled and shelled, telling Tigray civilians to flee the city because Ethiopian forces would show no mercy. TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael said that his troops have stalled the Ethiopian forces on southern front. By 23 November the city was surrounded by the ENDF.

28 November

Ethiopian forces begun their direct assault on Mekelle on 28 November. Debretsion claimed that they were bombarding the city with artillery, an accusation rejected by Ethiopian government. Despite this, however, ambulances rushed through the streets picking up dead and wounded after Ethiopian government artillery strikes. Doctors in Mekelle sent text messages on the condition of anonymity to avoid reprisals from the government by using a rare Internet connection in the city. They stated that indiscriminate artillery shelling targeted not only TPLF areas, but also civilian neighborhoods, ended up killing 27 civilians (including a 4-year-old child) and wounded around 100. The hospital staff showed documents to prove their employment and denied any ties to the TPLF, while providing certain pictures of their patients (including infants) having many shrapnel wounds.

The Ethiopian government later that day announced it had taken Mekelle and that it was the end of the Tigray offensive. Debretsion confirmed the TPLF were withdrawing from around Mekelle. Tigrayan forces said they had withdrawn from Mekelle to avoid having the federal forces from further destroying the city and that the TPLF will be fighting in surrounding rural areas, beginning a new guerrilla campaign.

Aftermath

The International Committee of Red Cross which visited Mekelle after the battle, said hospitals were facing difficulties in providing healthcare to patients. 80% of the people at the Ayder Referral Hospital had trauma injuries, causing other services to be suspended. The hospital was also facing a shortage of body bags. Food in the Tigray region had also run out, causing 1,000 Eritrean refugees to request food and other assistance in Mekelle. Analysts have previously stated that the TPLF could switch to insurgency after losing territory.

On 30 November, Ethiopian President Abiy Ahmed told the parliament that federal soldiers have not killed a single civilian during the month-long conflict in the Tigray region, and stated that his army will not destroy Mekelle. However, subsequent reports by both The New York Times and Human Rights Watch report found – after interviewing a number of witnesses – that not only were civilians killed by Ethiopian artillery strikes, but that the strikes "did not appear aimed at specific military targets," and were instead striking "generalized populated areas."

As of 3 December, electricity had been cut off in the city, which emboldened armed troops (possibly Amhara militiamen) to loot stores at night, forcing many to close.

By 28 June 2021, TPLF rebels recaptured Mekelle as well as bordering Ethiopian villages. The interim government went into exile and the Ethiopian government declared a ceasefire.

See also

• 2021 Mekelle airstrikes
• 2006 Fall of Mogadishu

References

1. "Ethiopia Tigray crisis: Abiy issues 'ultimatum' as civilians flee fighting". BBC News. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
2. "Ethiopia PM says Tigray operation over after army seizes Mekelle". Al-Jazeera. 29 November 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
3. ^ "Ethiopia says military operation in Tigray region is over, hunt for Tigray leaders begins". Reuters. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
4. Getachew Reda talks about the state of war situation in Tigray
5. "Wieder Luftangriffe der Armee in Tigray" (in German). Deutsche Welle. 9 November 2020. Archived from the original on 19 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
6. ^ Marks, Simon; Walsh, Declan (3 December 2020). "From Shelled Ethiopian City, Doctors Tally Deaths and Plead for Help". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
7. ^ Netsanet 2024, pp. 29–30.
8. Gardner 2024, p. 273.
9. Gardner 2024, p. 266.
10. ^ Thomas, Charles G (2023). "A Military Appreciation of the Tigray Conflict". Journal of Military and Strategic Studies. 22 (3).
11. ^ "Ethiopia crisis: Tigray leader vows to keep fighting as government advances". BBC News. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
12. Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Ethiopian army marches on Tigray capital | DW | 18.11.2020". DW.COM. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
13. "The moment airstrike hit Tigray's capital". BBC News. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
14. ^ "Ethiopia: Unlawful Shelling of Tigray Urban Areas". Human Rights Watch. 11 February 2021.
15. "Ethiopia: Both sides claim military gains as fighting rages". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
16. Paravicini, Giulia (18 November 2020). "Ethiopian troops push for regional capital, rebels promise 'hell'". Reuters. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
17. "Latest update on the war in Ethiopia : Defense Chief of Staff speaks". Borkena Ethiopian News. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
18. "EEPA situation report 18 November" (PDF). Europe External Programme with Africa i. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
19. "Rebel leader says capital of Ethiopia's Tigray region bombed". Reuters. 19 November 2020. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
20. "Ethiopia says its forces are 'closing in' on Tigray capital". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
21. "Ethiopia bombs university in a civil conflict that shows no signs of ending". www.abc.net.au. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
22. Bethlehem Feleke and Zamira Rahim (20 November 2020). "Several injured in airstrikes on Tigray capital, humanitarian source says". CNN. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
23. "Ethiopian government says troops take two towns from Tigray fighters". Reuters. 21 November 2020. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
24. "Ethiopia's Tigray crisis: PM gives Tigray forces 72 hours to surrender". BBC News. 22 November 2020. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
25. "Ethiopia's Tigray crisis: Ethiopia troops to 'encircle and shell' Tigray city". BBC News. 22 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
26. "Ethiopian forces begin offensive on Tigray capital, say a diplomat and Tigrayan forces leader". Daily Sabah. Reuters. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
27. "Ethiopia's Tigray crisis: Army 'takes regional capital of Mekelle'". BBC News. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020. Mr Abiy said the army was in full control and that this "marks the completion of the last phase".
28. "Mekelle hospitals struggling to care for wounded: ICRC". Al-Jazeera. 29 November 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
29. "Rockets target Eritrea capital after Ethiopia declares victory in Tigray". Agence France-Presse. France 24. 29 November 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
30. "Abiy says Ethiopia's federal forces have not killed civilians in Tigray". Reuters. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
31. Feleke, Bethlehem. "Ethiopian forces withdraw from Tigray regional capital Mekelle". CNN. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
32. Akinwotu, Emmanuel. "Interim government of Tigray flees as rebels seize capital". theguardian. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
33. Paravicini, Houreld, Giulia, Katharine. "Tigray's former rulers back in Mekelle, Ethiopian government declares ceasefire". Reuters. Retrieved 28 June 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

Sources

• Netsanet, Serbi (2024). "A Personal Testimony from a Combatant in the Tigrayan Defense Forces". Politique africaine. 173 (173): 25–49. doi:10.3917/polaf.173.0025 – via Cairn.info.
• Gardner, Tom (2024). The Abiy Project: God, Power and War in the New Ethiopia. C. Hurst & Co. ISBN 9781911723103.

v t e Tigray war
Background	History History of Western Tigray Welkait question 1995 Constitution of Ethiopia Eritrean–Ethiopian War border conflict Elections in Ethiopia 2005 election / violence 2014–16 Oromo protests 2016–18 state of emergency Resignation of Hailemariam Desalegn Prelude Ethiopian civil conflict (2018–present) 2018 Eritrea–Ethiopia summit Tripartite Agreement Formation of the Prosperity Party COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia Hachalu Hundessa riots 2020 Tigray regional election
Timeline	Northern Command attacks Battle of Humera Asmara rocket attacks Mekelle offensive Operation Alula TDF–OLA joint offensive 2021–2022 Ethiopian state of emergency ENDF National Unity Offensive Battle of Shire
Impact	Reactions 2021 Ethiopian general election Spillover Sudan 2022 al-Shabaab invasion of Ethiopia
Peace process	Overview Ethiopia–Tigray peace agreement Interim Administration
Groups	Key actors Ethiopian federal government  Eritrea Involvement  Tigray / TPLF  Amhara  Afar Institutions Ethiopian National Defense Force Transitional Government of Tigray Tigray Defense Forces Eritrean Defence Forces Militias Fano UFEFCF Human rights organisations EHRC Inquiry Board Non-state EHRCO ERCS HRCE Seb Hidri Yikono
Human rights	Casualties Casualties of the Tigray war Discrimination Ethnic profiling Internment camps War crimes Massacres 2020 Mai Kadra Humera Adigrat Zalambessa Dengelat 1st Wukro Hitsats 1st Mekelle Axum Goda Hagere Selam Ziban Gedena Gijet 2021 Bora Debano Mahbere Dego 2nd Wukro Kola Tembien Zamr Gira Aras Guh Togoga Galikoma Chenna Kobo 2nd Mekelle Kombolcha 2022 Dedebit Berhale 3rd Mekelle Adi Daero Sexual violence Hawzen Destruction of Heritage Aksum Debre Damo Negash mosque Predictions of a genocide in Ethiopia Refugees/IDPs Hamdayet (Ethiopians) Refoulement of Eritrean refugees Shire Food Famine in northern Ethiopia (2020–present) Investigations ACHPR Tigray investigation EHRC–OHCHR Tigray investigation ICHREE
Category / Commons

• November 2020 events in Ethiopia
• Battles in 2020
• Mekelle during the Tigray War
• Attacks on bridges
• Battles of the Tigray War
• Looting in the Tigray War
• 2020 airstrikes
• Airstrikes during the Tigray War
• Bridge disasters in Africa
• Bridge disasters caused by warfare
• 2020 building bombings
• Hotel bombings in Africa
• School bombings in Ethiopia
• Attacks on government buildings and structures in Africa
• Attacks on hotels in Ethiopia