The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) announced a decisive reversal of recent Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) advances along the Sekota axis, capturing the towns of Finarwa, Abergele and Zamra and moving toward the strategic city of Samre. Simultaneously, Ethiopian troops withdrew from the Afdera district in the northern Afar Region, creating a vacuum that may allow Uguugumo rebels to seize the town. These coordinated movements illustrate a rapid re‑configuration of frontlines across Ethiopia’s northern theater, affecting both the Tigray and Afar conflicts.
ENDF Reverses TDF Gains Along Sekota Axis
According to a report posted by the CIG_telegram channel at 14:44:47 UTC, the ENDF and its allied Tigray Peace Forces have collapsed TDF positions along the Sekota axis, recapturing several settlements that the TDF had taken in the previous week. The report states:
"Tigray Defense Forces, TDF, positions along the Sekota axis have completely collapsed, with the Ethiopian military, ENDF, reversing all TDF gains made over the past week and pushing into the Tigray region itself. The ENDF and its allies, the Tigray Peace Forces, have captured Finarwa, Abergele and Zamra. Overnight, the ENDF attempted to advance towards the city of Samre, although it remains unconf..."The operation involved no reported use of heavy weaponry, and casualty figures were not disclosed. The ENDF’s advance aligns with its broader campaign to re‑establish control over contested districts in northern Ethiopia, a region that has seen fluid frontlines since the resurgence of hostilities in early 2026.
ENDF Withdraws from Afdera as Uguugumo Rebels Advance
At 15:50:12 UTC, the rnintel channel reported that Ethiopian forces withdrew from the Afdera area in the northern Afar Region. The summary notes that “unconfirmed reports” suggest Uguugumo rebels may have captured the town. The full text reads:
"Ethiopian and Uguugumo‑affiliated media report that the Ethiopian Armed Forces, ENDF, have withdrawn from the Afdera area of northern Afar. It remains unconfirmed whether Uguugumo forces advancing from Dalol have captured the town of Afdera. The ENDF continues its advance in Tigray against the Tigray Defense Forces while allowing Uguugumo rebels to seize territory in Afar that could otherwise be d..."No weapons were reported in the movement, and no casualty numbers were provided. The withdrawal appears to be a strategic redeployment, allowing the ENDF to concentrate forces on the Tigray front while potentially ceding ground to the Uguugumo insurgency, a group linked to local grievances and occasional alliances with Eritrean forces.
ENDF Occupies Abandoned TDF Trenches in Alamata
Earlier in the day, at 09:11:26 UTC, rnintel documented that ENDF troops entered an abandoned TDF trench system in Alamata, southern Tigray. The source confirms that the TDF withdrew northward to the Grat Kahsu high grounds. The report states:
"Ethiopian military forces inside an abandoned Tigray Defense Forces, TDF, trench system in northern Alamata, southern Tigray region. TDF‑affiliated confirm the withdrawal of the TDF from the city of Alamata to the Grat Kahsu high grounds further north."This movement indicates a tactical retreat by the TDF to higher terrain, potentially to preserve forces for defensive operations. No direct combat was reported, and casualty figures remain unavailable.
ENDF Push Toward Samre
A separate rnintel post at 08:50:38 UTC reiterated the ENDF’s broader objective of advancing toward Samre, echoing the earlier CIG_telegram account. The summary emphasizes that the ENDF and Tigray Peace Forces have captured multiple towns and are attempting to move further east. The statement reads:
"Tigray Defense Forces, TDF, positions along the Sekota axis have completely collapsed, with the Ethiopian military, ENDF, reversing all TDF gains made over the past week and pushing into the Tigray region itself. The ENDF and its allies, the Tigray Peace Forces, have captured Finarwa, Abergele and Zamra. Overnight, the ENDF attempted to advance towards the city of Samre, although it remains unconf..."While the push is ongoing, the lack of reported artillery or air support suggests a ground‑focused maneuver, relying on infantry and mechanized units to secure urban centers.
Collectively, these events illustrate a coordinated ENDF strategy that prioritizes rapid territorial gains in Tigray while reallocating resources away from Afar. The absence of reported casualties or heavy weapon usage may reflect a phase of maneuver warfare rather than full‑scale engagements. However, the potential capture of Afdera by Uguugumo rebels introduces a new variable that could complicate the ENDF’s operational calculus, especially if the insurgents receive external support.
