<p>The leader of rebellious forces from Ethiopia's northern Tigray region said on Sunday in a text message to Reuters that his fighters had retaken the town of Axum from the federal military.</p>.<p>Debretsion Gebremichael, leader of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), made the claim a day after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced the military had taken the Tigray regional capital Mekelle and completed its operation.</p>.<p>There was no immediate comment from the Ethiopian government or military.</p>.<p>Claims from all sides have been difficult to verify as phone and internet links to Tigray have been down and access has been tightly controlled since fighting erupted on Nov. 4</p>
<p>The leader of rebellious forces from Ethiopia's northern Tigray region said on Sunday in a text message to Reuters that his fighters had retaken the town of Axum from the federal military.</p>.<p>Debretsion Gebremichael, leader of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), made the claim a day after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced the military had taken the Tigray regional capital Mekelle and completed its operation.</p>.<p>There was no immediate comment from the Ethiopian government or military.</p>.<p>Claims from all sides have been difficult to verify as phone and internet links to Tigray have been down and access has been tightly controlled since fighting erupted on Nov. 4</p>