AMN PLUS– September 18, 2026
Nearly 300 TPLF fighters have surrendered to the Northern West Command of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), the Command announced.
In a statement issued on September 18, 2026, the Command said the fighters surrendered in the Tekeze area after rejecting the TPLF’s preparations for war and choosing not to fight alongside the group.
The Command said the fighters surrendered in areas on both sides of the Tekeze Bridge along the western front. The fighters who surrendered said the alliance formed by the TPLF with Shabiya under the concept of “Tsimdo” was harmful to the people of Tigray. They described Shabiya as an entity that had been an enemy of the Ethiopian and Tigrayan peoples and had been massacring the people of Tigray.
The fighters, said they had established contact with ENDF forces in the area and, after discussions and arrangements had been made, were able to surrender.
The Command said the fighters believe the questions of the people of Tigray can be resolved through dialogue and understanding rather than through armed conflict.
The fighters who surrendered, opposing the intentions of TPLF leaders looters and gold miners working to avoid accountability by sending the youth of the peaceful people of Tigray to war, said they surrendered because they firmly believe that the disagreement can still be resolved only through dialogue, rather than through the intentions of a few oppressive leaders of the group.
According to the Command, the fighters arrived with more than 280 individual and crew-served weapons, various types of ammunition, field binoculars and different documents.
The statement also reads that those who surrendered included commanders at different levels, ranging from a division commander to battalion and company commanders.
It further stated that the presence of commanders among those who surrendered indicates that the armed force has been fighting under the coercion of the TPLF system rather than by choice.
The Command in its statement said the TPLF, which it described as unwilling to break out of the cycle of war, is attempting to push the people into greater difficulties under the concept of “Tsimdo.” The Command further said the group’s activities are not conducive to peace and that it has rejected the peace option presented to it.
According to the fighters who surrendered, the TPLF has lost acceptance among the people of Tigray.
They reiterated that there are many young people in Tigray who are currently waiting for an opportunity to surrender.
They added that the TPLF is forcing young people into preparations for war against their will in an effort to separate the people of Tigray from the people of Ethiopia and deprive them of peace.
The fighters said, according to the Command, that young people who have been forced to join the armed group are aware of the situation and are ready to surrender when the time and circumstances allow.
