Axum town
Central · Tigray
- Status today
- Tigray Defence Forces · Controlled since 5 May 2026
- Last verified
- 28 Sep 2026
- Names
- Axum town (English)
Aksum, Aksuum, Axum, አክሱም - Area
- 18 km²
- P-code
- ET010213
Control history
| From | To | Status | Actor | Grade | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 May 2026 | present | Controlled | Tigray Defence Forces | A |
|
Events in this woreda (32)
Airstrike · Axum town, Central, Tigray
Rights monitors cited by Amnesty International reported aerial bombardments targeting Axum.
Airstrike · Axum town, Central, Tigray
Amnesty International reported intensified aerial attacks in Axum, with civilian infrastructure including schools damaged.
Control change · Axum town, Central, Tigray
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission said TPLF-aligned armed personnel seized the airports of Mekelle, Shire and Axum, halting flights.
Control change · Axum town, Central, Tigray
The UN Secretary-General voiced grave concern over the seizure and occupation of the Mekelle, Axum and Shire airports and reports of intensified fighting in and around Tigray.
Control change · Axum town, Central, Tigray
Tigrayan forces seized the airports of Mekelle, Axum and Shire as large-scale fighting erupted.
Control change · Axum town, Central, Tigray
TPLF forces seized the airports of Mekelle, Shire and Axum and took prisoner the federal police guarding them.
Control change · Axum town, Central, Tigray
TPLF forces reportedly took control of the Axum and Shire regional airports, and Ethiopian Airlines cancelled service to them.
Control change · Axum town, Central, Tigray
Tigrayan forces reportedly also took control of the airport in Axum.
Control change · Axum town, Central, Tigray
TPLF vice president Amanuel Assefa said Tigrayan forces seized the airports in Shire and Axum and detained the federal police guarding them.
Control change · Axum town, Central, Tigray
TPLF forces took over the airports in Mekelle, Axum and Shire without a fight, replacing federal police stationed there.
Control change · Axum town, Central, Tigray
The TPLF took over the airports of Mekelle, Axum and Shire, after which Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights there.
Control change · Axum town, Central, Tigray
The African Union Commission chairperson expressed concern over the reported seizure and control of Mekelle, Axum and Shire airports by Tigray forces and urged an immediate de-escalation.
Control change · Axum town, Central, Tigray
Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to Mekelle, Axum and Shire after the airports were reportedly taken by TPLF forces.
Control change · Axum town, Central, Tigray
The TPLF seized the airports of Mekelle, Shire and Axum, taking prisoner the federal police guarding them.
Control change · Axum town, Central, Tigray
The TPLF launched an offensive and took control of the federal airports at Mekelle, Axum and Shire.
Control change · Axum town, Central, Tigray
Tigrayan forces seized the federally administered airports of Mekelle, Axum and Shire, according to the African Union.
Control change · Axum town, Central, Tigray
Tigrayan forces took control of the airports in Mekelle, Shire and Axum and detained the small number of federal police officers guarding them as fighting resumed in northern Ethiopia.
Control change · Axum town, Central, Tigray
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission said TPLF-deployed fighters occupied Axum Airport, halting commercial flights.
Control change · Axum town, Central, Tigray
Tigrayan forces took control of the airports at Mekelle, Axum and Shire, disrupting civilian flights.
Attack on civilians · Axum town, Central, Tigray
UCDP records an attack on civilians between Government of Eritrea and Civilians in Central zone.
Attack on civilians · Axum town, Central, Tigray
UCDP records an attack on civilians between Government of Eritrea and Civilians in Central zone.
Attack on civilians · Axum town, Central, Tigray
UCDP records an attack on civilians between Government of Eritrea and Civilians in Central zone.
Attack on civilians · Axum town, Central, Tigray
UCDP records an attack on civilians between Government of Eritrea and Civilians in Central zone.
Battle · Axum town, Central, Tigray
UCDP records a clash between Government of Ethiopia and TPLF in Central zone.
Battle · Axum town, Central, Tigray
UCDP records a clash between Government of Ethiopia and TPLF in Central zone.