The Ethiopian National Defense Force and federal troops are withdrawing from Alamata and Korem, prompting a mass exodus of residents seeking safety, according to reports to the BBC.

Local residents described growing fear as the conflict intensifies. “The actions being taken are causing us distress,” one resident said while moving toward neighbouring areas.

Ato Zenabu, the former mayor of Alamata and part of the interim administration in Tigray, remains in the town even as residents leave. Those interviewed by the BBC said they were directed to flee toward the border without clear guidance, citing concerns over personal safety.

At the border, conditions remain dire. “There is no such thing as a bed. Only very expensive beds remain,” one resident said, adding that a single household or bed often accommodates two to three people. “Most of the youth are leaving to avoid being conscripted into the military. Everyone is seeking to escape,” they added.

The command post indicated that defense forces and federal troops are now focused primarily on their own protection. Residents reported abandoning vehicles and leaving camps on foot after cars became stranded. “Now the car is stuck, and it cannot exit. Moreover, it is impossible to leave with property,” one person said Thursday morning.

The withdrawal has heightened concerns about civilian safety and the humanitarian situation in northern Tigray as the conflict continues to unfold.