Witnessing an Apocalypse

The Tigray War began in November 2020, when tensions between the federal government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) exploded into full-scale conflict. Federal troops, backed by Eritrean forces and regional militias, launched a coordinated offensive on Tigray. Communications were cut, and a brutal campaign unfolded—marked by mass killings, displacement, and a growing humanitarian crisis. Despite initial defeats, TPLF forces regrouped, drawing support from local fighters and diaspora networks. Over months of guerrilla warfare, they regained territory, challenging well-armed national forces. International pressure mounted as atrocities were reported by rights groups. By late June 2021, in a dramatic turn of events, TPLF fighters retook Mekelle, Tigray’s capital. The federal government declared a ceasefire, but the conflict’s scars ran deep. The recapture of Mekelle was not just a military win—it symbolized the resilience of a people under siege.