Ethiopia Regains Adigrat in Tigray After Eritrean Troops Withdraw

Ethiopian federal forces announced on Tuesday that they had regained control of the northern city of Adigrat, a key stronghold in the Tigray region, after Eritrean troops withdrew from the area earlier that day. The move, confirmed by the Ministry of Defence, was met with celebratory crowds on the streets of Adigrat, where residents expressed relief at the return of Ethiopian authority.

Adigrat, situated about 90 kilometres south of the Eritrean border, has been a flashpoint in the Tigray war that began in November 2020. The conflict erupted when the federal government, led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, launched an offensive against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) after the TPLF seized the regional capital of Mekelle. Eritrean forces entered the war in February 2021, ostensibly to support the Ethiopian army but later asserting they had been invited by the TPLF to secure borders against Eritrean incursions. Their presence intensified the fighting and drew international condemnation for alleged war crimes.

The recent withdrawal of Eritrean troops was announced by the Ethiopian military as part of a broader strategy to consolidate control over northern Tigray and to ease pressure on the region’s civilian population. Eritrea’s Defense Minister said the withdrawal was a "temporary redeployment" to address "operational priorities elsewhere," though no official statement confirmed the duration or conditions of the exit. Analysts note that Eritrea’s exit from Adigrat could signal a shift in the balance of power, but also raises questions about the future role of the Eritrean army in the ongoing ceasefire talks.

The Tigray region itself has suffered extensive devastation, with estimates of up to 500,000 displaced persons and widespread reports of famine and infrastructure destruction. Humanitarian agencies have struggled to deliver aid amid continuing skirmishes and blockades. The return of Ethiopian forces to Adigrat is therefore seen by many as a necessary step toward restoring governance and opening supply routes for relief operations. However, critics caution that the area remains volatile, citing sporadic clashes between federal troops and TPLF remnants and the potential for civilian casualties as the army moves into contested zones.

Internationally, the United Nations and several African Union members have urged a ceasefire and a return to peace negotiations, citing the humanitarian crisis and the risk of a wider regional conflict. The United States and the European Union have called for restraint from all parties and have expressed concerns over the humanitarian situation. Meanwhile, the African Union’s peacekeeping mission, AMISOM, has been limited in its engagement, focusing mainly on border security rather than active peacekeeping within Tigray.

The implications of Adigrat’s recapture extend beyond the immediate region. The city sits along critical trade corridors linking Ethiopia to its northern neighbors, and its stability is vital for the flow of goods into the Red Sea and beyond. A secure Adigrat could improve access for Ethiopian ports such as Djibouti, enhancing supply chains for international trade and potentially easing the logistics of the global semiconductor supply chain, which relies on reliable transportation networks across Africa. Moreover, the Horn of Africa remains a strategically important theater for global shipping lanes, and any reduction in armed conflict may help stabilize maritime security in the adjacent Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

For Taiwan, the situation in Ethiopia may appear distant, yet it underscores the broader theme of how regional conflicts can ripple through global supply chains. Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is highly integrated into global logistics, and disruptions in African transport routes can affect the timely delivery of raw materials and finished components. Additionally, the conflict highlights the importance of diplomatic engagement and multilateral cooperation in preventing regional instability—an approach that Taiwan has increasingly advocated in its foreign policy, especially in contexts where it seeks to strengthen ties with African nations while navigating complex geopolitical dynamics.