The Ethiopian forces announced today the recapturing of four new cities from the grip of the Tigray Liberation Front.

The Ethiopian Fana station reported that, on Friday, the Ethiopian forces regained control of the cities of Mehal Meda, Chifra, Mekelle, and the surrounding areas, which were under the control of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), noting that the forces penetrated deep into these areas to eliminate the armed group.

The forces explained that they closed the roads to prevent the armed forces from looting and destroying property, and preventing them from escaping with their weapons.

According to the station, the Ethiopian forces appealed to the people of the country to continue to show their heroism, and to fight against TPLF.

This comes amid intense fighting between the Ethiopian forces and the TPLF, as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced his command of military operations from the field, while international calls for an immediate ceasefire.

'Calls for ceasefire' 

Earlier in the day, the PM called on the fighters of the Front and allied groups with it to surrender immediately.

The conflict between the two parties has been going on for more than a year after Addis Ababa accused the Front of attacking the camps of the national army and stealing its equipment, while the Tigray leadership accused the government of trying to seize power.
 
The war has expanded in the past few months, and the front has made political and military alliances with Ethiopian factions and started a counter-offensive, during which it regained power in the territory that it had lost and occupied other areas in its advance towards the capital.

In the aftermath, the Ethiopian government declared a state of emergency, summoned retired officers and soldiers, and required the residents of Addis Ababa to bear arms to protect their property.