A coalition of forces loyal to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has regained control of Lalibela in Ethiopia less than two weeks after government forces and their allies seized control.
The town of Lalibela in the Amhara region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lalibela, about 645 kilometres north of Addis Ababa, is home to 11 medieval monolithic cave churches hewn into the red rock and is a key pilgrimage site for Ethiopian Christians.
Special forces from the Amhara region and their militia allies, both of whom are allies of the Ethiopian government, began departing Lalibela on Saturday night.
The last batch of soldiers was said to have left the town on Sunday morning, with residents in the town saying they heard gunshots on Saturday night.
The TPLF’s leadership said in a statement shared with pro-TPLF media they had launched “widespread counter-offensives” in numerous locations including along the road linking Gashena and Lalibela.
“Our forces first defended and then carried out counter-offensives against the massive force that was attacking the front at Gashena and the surrounding areas to achieve a glorious victory,” it said.
The TPLF had taken control of the town in early August.
However, Ethiopian troops and their Amhara regional allies recaptured the town on Dec. 1. That was among several reports of gains made on the battlefield against the Tigrayan forces, who had in November pushed south and threatened to march on Addis Ababa.
The conflict between the federal government and the leadership of the northern region of Tigray has killed thousands of civilians, forced millions to flee their homes, and made over 9 million people dependent on food aid.