ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Airlines has announced the resumption of its temporarily suspended flights to Mekelle, the capital of the country's conflict-hit Tigray region.
In a statement issued Friday, the airline said that it will resume regular flights to Mekelle starting Oct. 11, following weeks of conflict-driven air travel disruption.
The announcement came weeks after the Ethiopian flag carrier suspended regular flights to its three destinations in Tigray, namely Mekelle, Axum and Shire, citing the "current situation" in the region.
The flight suspension and ensuing disruption of civilian air services in the region followed the seizure of the airports and the detention of federal personnel by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) last month.
Military confrontations have escalated in recent weeks in the East African country's northernmost Tigray region, pitting the Ethiopian National Defense Force and its allied forces against troops loyal to the TPLF and its allied armed groups.
The resumption of flights comes as the Ethiopian army and its allies expand territorial control across the region, following the recapture of the regional capital.
While announcing that customers can now make flight reservations to Mekelle, the airline did not disclose the current status of its suspended flights to Axum and Shire.
According to reports, the surroundings of the two cities are currently witnessing military confrontations between the Ethiopian army and the rebel group. ■