Hawelti Sub City
Mekelle · Tigray
- Status today
- Ethiopian National Defense Force · Controlled since 3 Oct 2026
- Last verified
- 8 Oct 2026
- Names
- Hawelti Sub City (English)
Makelle, Maqalee, Mek'ele, Mekele, Mekelle, Mekelle Town, Meqele, መቀሌ, መቐለ - Area
- 16 km²
- P-code
- ET010704
Control history
| From | To | Status | Actor | Grade | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Oct 2026 | present | Controlled | Ethiopian National Defense Force | A |
|
| 5 May 2026 | 3 Oct 2026 | Controlled | Tigray Defence Forces | A |
|
Events in this woreda (99)
Statement · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
The monitor geolocated the warehouse where the ENDF displayed seized munitions and drones to a former ENDF bunker at 13.482214, 39.518136 adjoining Mekelle Airport, captured by the TDF in 2021, and assessed the haul as a mix of captured ENDF stocks and more recent TDF acquisitions.
Statement · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
Footage published on 7 October shows munitions presented as seized by the ENDF from a TDF/TPLF warehouse in Mekelle, which the monitor identified as dozens of Chinese GB-25 laser-guided drone munitions, US Mk 82 and Russian FAB general-purpose bombs, R-60M and R-73 air-to-air missiles, and dismantled drones resembling Iranian Mohajer-6s.
Statement · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
Ethiopia's National Rehabilitation Commission called on fighters in Tigray to report to a demobilization centre in Mekelle and said many were surrendering to ENDF units.
Statement · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
Footage shows the ENDF deploying Chinese-made SH15 155mm self-propelled howitzers in Mekelle on 5 October, while ENDF and TPF forces continued to advance north of the city.
Control change · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
The Ethiopian army pushed back TPLF forces and took control of Mekelle over the past week.
Control change · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
The same coalition said Ethiopian government and allied forces went on to seize several towns, including the regional capital Mekelle.
Control change · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
After close to two weeks of intense fighting, Ethiopian federal troops moved into Mekelle as the TPLF-led rebel alliance withdrew its fighters into the surrounding countryside.
Control change · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
AFP reported that Ethiopian troops and the allied Tigray Peace Forces took control of Mekelle a day after TPLF fighters withdrew.
Control change · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
Ethiopian government forces said they had seized Mekelle from Tigrayan fighters after a week of heavy fighting.
Control change · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
Government-allied Tigray Peace Force fighters entered Mekelle, photographed by AP, after the TPLF announced its withdrawal; the group says it and federal troops now control the city.
Control change · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
The Tigray Peace Force, allied with the government, took over Mekelle after the TPLF withdrew from the city.
Control change · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
Government-allied fighters entered Mekelle after the TPLF announced its withdrawal; the Tigray Peace Force later imposed an overnight curfew there.
Control change · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
The ENDF took control of Mekelle, with the pro-government Tigray Peace Force welcomed by residents after the takeover on Sunday.
Control change · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
Government-allied fighters entered Mekelle on Sunday after the TPLF announced its withdrawal, and the Tigray Peace Force imposed a night curfew there on Wednesday.
Control change · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
Government-allied forces took control of Mekelle after it left the control of TPLF and allied forces.
Control change · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
Tigray Peace Force fighters were photographed in Mekelle after entering the city.
Control change · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
The ENDF and the Tigray Peace Force took Mekelle airport and then the city after the TPLF chose to withdraw rather than fight.
Control change · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
Government-allied fighters entered Mekelle and the Tigray Peace Force began working with Ethiopian federal troops to expand control of the city after Tigray People's Liberation Front forces withdrew.
Control change · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
Government-allied Tigray Peace Force fighters and federal police moved into Mekelle and began working to restore administration after Tigray People's Liberation Front forces withdrew from the Tigray regional capital over the weekend.
Control change · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
Pro-government forces retook Mekelle after TPLF and allied forces withdrew.
Control change · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
Footage reviewed by the monitor confirms ENDF troops, accompanied by UAE-made Calidus MCAV-20 armoured personnel carriers, entered Mekelle on the morning of 3 October after advancing from the south via towns including Adi Gudom.
Control change · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
Tigray Peace Forces fighters followed by the Ethiopian military entered Mekelle after the TPLF retreated, which a humanitarian source and a resident confirmed.
Control change · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
A witness said Tigray Peace Force fighters entered Mekelle after TPLF-allied fighters withdrew, while residents said federal forces had retaken the city's airport.
Control change · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
Ethiopian federal forces entered Mekelle without a fight as TPLF leaders and troops left the city, and were patrolling it the next day, according to a local journalist.
Statement · Hawelti Sub City, Mekelle, Tigray
The TPLF said it withdrew from Mekelle to spare the city from bombardment and would continue its resistance from another location.