NEWS 1
GS2 • International Relations / Regional Conflicts
Source: AFP
Ethiopia's Tigray Rebels Abandon Regional Capital as Government Advances
Context: Tigray, a region in northern Ethiopia, is in the news as Tigray rebels are abandoning Mekelle, the regional capital, while pro-government forces advance on the city; the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has historically been the dominant political force in the region and recently removed a government-appointed administration.
Tigray Region & Ethiopia: Basics
Tigray
A northern regional state of Ethiopia; capital Mekelle; bordered by Eritrea to the north; dominant political force is the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
A northern regional state of Ethiopia; capital Mekelle; bordered by Eritrea to the north; dominant political force is the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
Ethiopia
Capital Addis Ababa; located in the Horn of Africa; a landlocked country bordered by Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan and Sudan.
Capital Addis Ababa; located in the Horn of Africa; a landlocked country bordered by Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan and Sudan.
Horn of Africa
Composition
The northeastern part of Africa, primarily comprising Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia.
The northeastern part of Africa, primarily comprising Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia.
Key Takeaway: Mekelle falling isn't just a battlefield update — it marks the TPLF, the region's historically dominant political force, losing control of the very city from which it had recently removed a government-appointed administration, a sharp reversal in the ongoing Tigray conflict.
Prelims Practice MCQ
+2 correct • −0.66 wrongConsider the following statements:
1. Tigray is bordered by Eritrea to its north.
2. Ethiopia is a landlocked country.
3. The Horn of Africa primarily comprises Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: All three statements are correct, describing Tigray's location, Ethiopia's landlocked status and the Horn of Africa's composition accurately.
UPSC Mains Question
10 Marks • 150 WordsDiscuss the geopolitical significance of the Tigray region within Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.
Accepted: JPG, JPEG, PNG, WEBP or PDF. The standalone file previews your answer locally; connect the API hook for real server submission.
Use after attempting the Mains answer
- Name Mekelle as Tigray's regional capital and the TPLF as its dominant political force precisely.
- State Ethiopia's landlocked status and its six neighbours (Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan) for Prelims recall.
- Define the Horn of Africa precisely as Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia.
- Note Eritrea's specific position bordering Tigray to the north — a frequently tested locational fact.
- Link this development to the broader pattern of Horn of Africa instability covered in other recent current-affairs topics.
