December 5, 2025
In a marked sign of deterioration of political stability in the Tigray Regional state of Ethiopia, General Tadesse Worede’s office reportedly came under siege on Thursday.
He has been serving as Interim president of the region since April 2025. It is unclear if he was in the office at the time the armed groups sieged his office.
What is known so far about the siege, based on multiple sources, is that well over 70 members of Army 31 of the “Tigray Defense Force” headed to the office of the president and encircled it.
They were reportedly armed with individual assault rifles and group assault guns like Dshk, BBC Amharic reported citing eye witnesses.
The armed group left their post in Aragur in Inderta on Wednesday and arrived in Mekelle on Thursday.
However, there were other armed groups, unclear if they were from the same Army 31, that arrived in Mekelle after the first group encircled the president’s office.
This group headed to Demtsi Woyane Television station. The transmission was off air for about two hours as it came under the armed group. Employees of the station were made to leave. This station has been the principal mouthpiece of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Another reported incident in Mekelle on the same day was an explosion within the premise of “Martyr’s Statue.” Authorities have not disclosed details of what it was and what caused it. They reportedly said “it is under investigation.”
Why did members of Army 31 besiege the region’s president office?
They are said to have grievances over unpaid salary and benefits. There has been a delay of payment for over two months – not just to members of “Tigray Defense” but to the public servants in the region as well.
The Federal government has not yet explained why it suspended budget transfer to the region.
There is speculation that the budget transfer was suspended due to TPLF’s alleged preparation for war.
Also, the budget for public service delivery was being spent on regional armed forces whose existence the Federal government does not seem to accept.
Deputy president of the Interim Administration, Amanuel Assefa, and Let. General Fesseha Kidanu had a discussion with the mutinous members of the army.
The army reportedly demanded to hold talks with Tadesse Worede but it is unclear if he was part of the meeting, including one that was held on Thursday in the evening in Mekelle after the besiege was over.
The circumstances under which Tadesse Worede is currently living in Mekelle is unclear.
There has been a recurring mutiny of armed forces in the region over the past few months.
