The Tigray region in northern Ethiopia has mobilized its forces against the federal government, which could lead to more serious fighting.

Activists hold banners and chant slogans during a rally organized by the Tigray Peace and Change Council at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in July. The fighting has escalated since rebels took over the airport in Mekelle. Photo by stringer/EPA UPI

Sept. 24 (UPI) -- The Tigray region in northern Ethiopia has mobilized its forces against the federal government, which could lead to more serious fighting and possibly another war.

Tigrayan forces took control of the airport in Mekelle early Wednesday along with others in the region, challenging Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Tigray's officials accused Abiy's government of starting to invade the region after recent attacks by infantry, drones and artillery, The New York Times reported.

Tigray is in the northern part of the country, and it borders with Eritrea. It's mostly populated by the Tigrayan ethnic group. Its forces overthrew the military government in 1991, and Meles Zenawi, a member of the Tigray People's Liberation Front, ruled until his death in 2012.

Zenawi reformed the government and made Ethiopia one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa.

In 2020, Abiy's government and the Tigrays began a war that lasted two years and killed around 600,000, many from starvation. There were also reports of widespread sexual violence. During that time, the United States sanctioned the Eritrean military and Ethiopian leaders over the violence against the Tigrays.

In 2022, African leaders brokered a peace agreement between the two sides, but now it's beginning to crumble.

"Our army, the shield for the existence and safety of its people, has been instructed to counter the attack and genocidal invasion and has entered defense operations," Tigray's regional administration said in a statement on Wednesday. "We call upon our army, all our people and allies in our struggle to consolidate their unity and strengthen their fight."

Getachew Reda, an advisor to Abiy, posted on X about the fighting.

"It is rather heartbreaking to learn that despite efforts by many including the international community to avoid yet another round of war in Tigray, the TPLF leadership early in the morning today launched an all out offensive against government positions in Afar and Amhara.

"It has taken over federal controlled airports in Tigray leading to the suspension of flights to and from Tigray. The TPLF politico-military leadership has obviously taken irresponsibility to new heights," he said.

Last weekend, the Tigrays joined six other rebel groups to form an alliance, saying the group would overthrow Abiy's government and replace it with an inclusive democracy, The Times reported.

Since the last war, the Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has warmed to Tigrayan leaders, so it's unclear whether he would join Abiy if a full war happened.

Ervin Massinga, U.S. ambassador to Ethiopia, pointed out that the United States had put sanctions on TPLF leadership earlier this year. He called the Tigrays' decision to launch an offensive a "poor decision" and said dialogue was still possible.

A Mekelle resident told the BBC's Newsday on Thursday there were no clashes in the city.

"Mekelle is calm, except the stress from the people," said the man who only wants to be identified as Fitsum for his safety. He said that cash was hard to come by.

"People are in a mood where they are distressed because it's been so difficult, so tough. For the last seven or eight months, the government has been denying budgets to the civil servants, and all the banks were running out of cash."

Fitsum said people had been relying on mobile banking but there is potential for communications to get cut, and "people are going to be in grave danger because there is almost no cash."