Residents of Mekelle, the capital of Tigray in northern Ethiopia, are living in fear after renewed fighting broke out between federal troops and rebels opposed to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Many have fled the area, seeking safety in other provinces. Reports suggest that internet services have been disrupted in parts of northern Ethiopia, and roads connecting Tigray to the neighboring Afar region have been closed to civilian traffic. "There is an atmosphere of fear," said Selam Fantay, a market vendor in Mekelle. "People are deeply concerned that the suspension of transport services signals the outbreak of renewed conflict." These reports, however, have not been independently confirmed by The Associated Press. The disruption of transport has raised concerns about the availability and cost of essential goods. Hailay Meles, a businessman in Mekelle, warned that ongoing conflict could drive up the prices of basic commodities. Meanwhile, Valerie Browning of the Afar Pastoralist Development Association said many people are fleeing Tigray into Afar, adding that explosions were heard overnight. She also expressed concern over the government seizing humanitarian vehicles, including ambulances, for use in the war. The current conflict has broken a peace deal signed in November 2022, which ended a brutal two-year war in Tigray. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a political and armed group based in Tigray, was a dominant force in Ethiopia’s ruling coalition before being outlawed by Abiy’s government. After the peace agreement, a caretaker administration loyal to Abiy took over in Mekelle, but tensions remained. In May, the caretaker leader was replaced by a TPLF figure who led Tigrayan fighters during the previous war. Both sides now accuse each other of violating the peace deal. Recent months have seen increased accusations: Ethiopian authorities claim the TPLF is trying to form an alliance with Eritrea to destabilize Ethiopia, while the TPLF accuses the government of using drone attacks in Tigray. Eritrea, which previously fought alongside Ethiopian troops in Tigray, has expressed concern over Abiy's claims to access the Red Sea through its territory. Ethiopian military officials reported that dozens of TPLF fighters had been killed in recent operations, with others detained and weapons seized. Meanwhile, air travel into Tigray has been suspended after TPLF fighters took control of Mekelle’s airport, prompting Ethiopian Airlines to cancel all flights to the region. The conflict has intensified following the formation of a coalition of seven opposition groups aiming to remove Abiy’s Prosperity Party government. Analysts warn that this alliance, combining political opposition and military coordination, could lead to fighting spreading across the country.