By Asha Elmi - Reporter
ADIGRAT, Ethiopia, 11 October 2026 The Tigray Peace Forces (TPF) have claimed control of Adigrat in northern Ethiopia, saying residents welcomed their fighters alongside troops from the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF).
“Adigrat is free!” the group said in a social media post on Saturday, 10 October, adding that residents had welcomed the forces. The group also accused the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and Eritrean forces of acting against the interests of local residents.
Reuters reported on 10 October that Ethiopian government forces and allied militia had entered Adigrat, citing three residents. The news agency said it could not independently confirm whether the forces had established full control of the city.
Located in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, about 30 km (19 miles) from the Eritrean border, Adigrat is an important commercial centre and a strategic gateway between northern Ethiopia and Eritrea. Its location has made it significant during periods of political and military confrontation in the region.
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Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a devastating border war from 1998 to 2000 before relations improved following a 2018 peace agreement. Relations have since deteriorated amid disputes over regional security and Ethiopia’s pursuit of access to the Red Sea.
The latest developments follow reports that Eritrean soldiers were seen in Adigrat on 7 October. Witnesses told Reuters they had seen soldiers travelling through the city, while Eritrea’s information minister denied that Eritrean forces were present.
The TPF’s claim that residents welcomed its fighters has not been independently verified. Dawan could not independently confirm whether Ethiopian government forces and their allies had established full control of Adigrat.
There was no immediate comment from the TPLF or Eritrean authorities on the latest claim.