Event Tigray War

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A war between Ethiopia and the secessionist Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) of the Tigray region that started in 2020. Although the cessation of hostilities was agreed in November 2022, the TPLF still controls territories in Tigray acting as a factually independent state.

Chronology

Interactive Chronologies with maps are available in the section Changes Navigation

  • December 2022: By 29 December, Ethiopian federal police was reported to have returned to Tigray. The region is reoccupied by Ethiopia, but not the parts under Eritrean occupation.

1. Tigray Secession

Was the first phase of the Tigray War, consisting in the secession of territories controlled by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) in the Tigray region (Ethiopia).

  • November 2020: The FLPT becomes separatist from the postponement of the legislative elections, which were to be held in August 2020, then launches on November 4, 2020 an attack against bases of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces in Mekele, the capital of Tigray, and in Dansha, a city ​​in the west of the region.

2. Government Counterattack (Tigray War)

Was the military counterattack by the Ethiopian government against the secessionist Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) in the Tigray region.

  • November 2020: Prime Minister Abiy declared Ethiopian forces had taken full control of the city of Mekelle.
  • November 2020: The ENDF gained control of Humera on 12 November.
  • November 2020: From 17-19 November, Ethiopian forces captured the cities of Shire, Alamata, Raya, Adwa and Axum.

3. Eritrean occupation of the North-East

Eritrean troops occupied Ethiopian territories in the north of the country during the Tigray War.

  • March 2021: In February 2021, UN chief coordinator of humanitarian efforts Mark Lowcock said that up 40% of Tigray was not controlled by Ethiopian troops. He said that much of that area was under the control of Eritrean soldiers pursuing their own objectives independent of Ethiopian command.

4. Tigrayan counter-offensive

An offensive by the Tigray Defense Forces during the Tigray War.

  • August 2021: Conquests by the Tigray People's Liberation Front  based on available maps.
  • July 2021: The TDF crossed the Tekezé River and advanced westward, capturing the town of Mai Tsebri in the Tselemti district.
  • July 2021: Conquests by the Tigray People's Liberation Front  based on available maps.
  • August 2021: Conquests by the Tigray People's Liberation Front  based on available maps.
  • August 2021: Conquests by the Tigray People's Liberation Front  based on available maps.
  • July 2021: Conquests by the Tigray People's Liberation Front  based on available maps.
  • July 2021: Conquests by the Tigray People's Liberation Front  based on available maps.
  • July 2021: Conquests by the Tigray People's Liberation Front  based on available maps.
  • July 2021: Conquests by the Tigray People's Liberation Front  based on available maps.
  • July 2021: Tigrayan forces captured southern Tigray, including the towns of Alamata and Korem.
  • June 2021: On 30 June 2021, the TDF had entered the town of Shire.
  • August 2021: Conquests by the Tigray People's Liberation Front  based on available maps.
  • August 2021: ENDF retook Gashena.
  • August 2021: Conquests by the Tigray People's Liberation Front  based on available maps.
  • August 2021: Conquests by the Tigray People's Liberation Front  based on available maps.
  • June 2021: On 28 June 2021, the Tigray Defense Forces retook the city of Mekelle.

5. TDF-OLA joint offensive

A joint offensive by the Tigray Defense Forces and the Oromo Liberation Army during the Tigray War.

  • October 2021: The TDF and OLA took control of several towns south of Tigray Region in the direction of the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.
  • October 2021: Conquests by the Tigray People's Liberation Front  based on available maps.
  • October 2021: Conquests by the Tigray People's Liberation Front  based on available maps.
  • November 2021: OLA claimed to have taken control of Kamisee on 31 October.
  • November 2021: Conquests by the Oromo Liberation Army based on available maps.
  • October 2021: Conquests by the Tigray People's Liberation Front  based on available maps.
  • November 2021: In the few days leading to 2 November, the TDF took control of Dessie and Kombolcha.
  • November 2021: Conquests by the Tigray People's Liberation Front  based on available maps.
  • November 2021: Conquests by the Tigray People's Liberation Front  based on available maps.
  • November 2021: On 25 November, the TDF was approaching Debre Sina.
  • November 2021: Conquests by the Oromo Liberation Army based on available maps.
  • October 2021: Conquests by the Oromo Liberation Army based on available maps.
  • November 2021: On 16 November, the TDF claimed to have taken control of Ataye and Senbete in Oromia Zone in Amhara Region.
  • November 2021: Conquests by the Oromo Liberation Army based on available maps.

6. Federal government allied offensive (Tigray War)

An offensive by Ethiopian Government Forces during the Tigray War.

  • October 2021: On 11 October, Ethiopian-allied forces launched coordinated ground attacks "on all fronts" against the TDF with combined arms including tanks, helicopters, heavy artillery, warplanes, and drones.

7. Federal Government counter-offensive (Tigray War)

An offensive by Ethiopian Government Forces during the Tigray War.

  • December 2021: On 6 December 2021, government forces claimed to have recaptured the strategic cities of Dessie and Kombolcha.
  • December 2021: On 12 December 2021, Reuters reported that forces loyal to the TPLF had recaptured the town of Lalibela.
  • December 2021: The ENDF took control of the town of Lalibela again following the exit of Tigrayan Forces back to Tigray.
  • December 2021: On 20 December 2021, the TDF requested a ceasefire. Following the ceasefire request, the ENDF stated that it would not advance any deeper into the Tigray region.
  • December 2021: From 26 November to 6 December 2021, Ethiopian allied forces recaptured several towns in the Amhara and Afar regions including Lalibela and Shewa Robit.
  • December 2021: From 26 November to 6 December 2021, Ethiopian allied forces recaptured several towns in the Amhara and Afar regions including Lalibela and Shewa Robit.
  • December 2021: On 20 December 2021, the TDF requested a ceasefire. Following the ceasefire request, the ENDF stated that it would not advance any deeper into the Tigray region.

8. Joint Eritrean-Ethiopian offensive

A joint offensive by Ethiopian and Eritrean Government Forces during the Tigray War.

  • August 2022: On 27 August, the TDF captured the town of Kobo.
  • October 2022: On 2 October, the TPLF announced it had withdrawn troops from Amhara's North Wollo Zone, including Kobo.
  • October 2022: By 22 October, ENDF and EDF-allied forces had also captured Adwa and Axum.
  • October 2022: Shire was taken by Eritrea and Ethiopia.
  • October 2022: Ethiopian forces took Alamata and Korem in the south.

Selected Sources

  • Tigray War as of April 2021. Retrieved on March, 1st 2024 on https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tigray_War_as_of_April_2021.jpg and based on Ethiopia Map's (https://twitter.com/MapEthiopia)