--- title: "Federal-backed administration urges rebel fighters to disarm in Tigray" url: https://newscentral.site/federal-backed-administration-urges-rebel-fighters-to-disarm-in-tigray/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "World" published: 2026-10-23T18:54:35.000Z updated: 2026-10-24T03:33:19.962Z id: ec03fdf0-31d6-425f-bb6d-7ee2cce3580b source: "ABC News International https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/ethiopias-tigray-rebels-urged-disarm-commander-vows-fight-137511160" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/federal-backed-administration-urges-rebel-fighters-to-disarm-in-tigray/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Federal-backed administration urges rebel fighters to disarm in Tigray The Ethiopian government is urging rebel fighters to disarm after losing control of the northern region's capital. Ethiopia's federal-backed administration is urging rebel fighters to disarm and return to their civilian lives after losing control of the northern region's capital. The call comes nearly three weeks after government-allied forces entered Mekelle, Tigray's capital, on October 4, following the withdrawal of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The administration claims that rebel forces are collapsing and is urging fighters to enter a disarmament and reintegration program. This would allow them to reintegrate into civilian society. The head of the caretaker administration in Mekelle, Redae Halefom Woldeselassie, made the appeal directly to rebel fighters, saying it was not time for settling scores. He emphasized that returning home and resuming their civilian lives was the best course of action. Fisseha Kidanu, identified as commander of the Tigray army in a television broadcast, had earlier vowed to reverse recent military setbacks. His comments were made just hours before Woldeselassie's appeal to rebel fighters. The commander-in-chief of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), Fisseha, has urged local militias and volunteers joining the resistance to engage in attacks on government-held positions, despite the Ethiopian military having an advantage in drones and heavy weapons. Fisseha made these comments just hours before his appeal to rebel fighters, as reported by a new rebel television station called Tigray Broadcast Media. His location was not disclosed, but it is clear that he remains committed to continuing the fight against the government. Meanwhile, Ethiopia's government has established a six-month caretaker administration aimed at restoring services and helping displaced people return to their homes. The government also claims to be preparing for elections, which could potentially pave the way for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The Ethiopian military is conducting joint security operations with allied forces, including measures to prevent looting and ensure the safe return of displaced residents. However, it remains unclear when these residents will be able to return to their homes, as no timetable has been given by government officials. Ayder Hospital in Mekelle has seen a surge in patients following recent attacks in the surrounding areas. Luel Berhanu and Samuel Belay, both young men, claim to have witnessed one such strike on Tuesday evening. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. when they were loading goats onto a truck in Finariwa, approximately 80 kilometers south of Mekelle. According to their account, the blast killed four civilians and injured about six people. However, the exact circumstances of the attack remain unclear, including who was responsible for it. The hospital staff has confirmed that multiple patients with injuries consistent with an explosion have been admitted in recent days. The scene of the incident is said to have been illuminated by the truck's headlights shortly before the blast occurred. Luel Berhanu reported seeing a drone hovering overhead at the time, and he himself suffered severe injuries, including damage to his right eye and arm. As a result, he is currently unable to see through that eye. Hospital footage shows the extent of their injuries, with Luel's face covered in blood and Samuel lying on his side with an intravenous line attached to his arm. Witnesses have reported seeing fighters from Agew Shengo, a militia previously linked to Tigrayan forces in neighboring Amhara region, moving through the area earlier that day. However, none of these fighters were present at the time of the strike, according to Luel's testimony. The conflict in Tigray region has taken a devastating turn following the breakdown of the Pretoria agreement, which had brought an end to the 2020-2022 war that ravaged the area. Researchers at Ghent University in Belgium estimate that the conflict caused over 500,000 civilian deaths due to violence, famine, and collapsed health services. According to Magnus Taylor, deputy Horn of Africa director at the International Crisis Group, controlling towns and roads is not enough to secure rural areas where Tigrayan fighters regrouped during the previous war. The renewed fighting has effectively shattered any hopes for a lasting peace in the region. --- Source: [ABC News International](https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/ethiopias-tigray-rebels-urged-disarm-commander-vows-fight-137511160) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/federal-backed-administration-urges-rebel-fighters-to-disarm-in-tigray/