A dissident faction of the main political party in Ethiopia's northern region of Tigray has seized control of key offices and a radio station in the regional capital, Mekelle, amid growing fears of a fresh conflict.

As analysts warn of a ‘creeping coup d’etat’ in Ethiopia’s northernmost region, both Ethiopia and Eritrea are reportedly preparing for war. The turmoil is straining the fragile truce that ended one of this century’s most destructive conflicts.

The interim government of Ethiopia’s Tigray region has appealed for the Ethiopian federal government to intervene after a faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front seized control of two major towns,