U.S. Imposes Visa Restrictions on TPLF Hardliners Amid Fears of Renewed Conflict in Tigray

The United States has imposed visa restrictions on hardline members of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and their immediate family members, citing their role in obstructing efforts to peacefully resolve the ongoing crisis in Ethiopia's Tigray region.

According to a statement released by the U.S. Department of State on June 17, 2026, and information shared with Foundation Media by the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, the measures target individuals directly involved in or complicit in undermining peace initiatives in northern Ethiopia.

The announcement comes amid growing concerns over escalating tensions between TPLF leaders and the Ethiopian federal government, raising fears that the region could slide back into a devastating armed conflict.

State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott said the decision was authorized by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

“This visa restriction policy specifically targets hardline members of the TPLF and their immediate families who are responsible for or have been instrumental in obstructing efforts to peacefully resolve the crisis in the Tigray region,” Pigott stated.

The State Department noted that clashes earlier this year between Tigray security forces and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces marked the first direct military confrontation between the two sides since the end of the 2020–2022 war, a conflict estimated to have claimed around 600,000 lives.

The renewed tensions have reportedly forced hundreds of thousands of civilians in northern Ethiopia to flee their homes amid fears of a return to large-scale violence.

Washington reaffirmed its commitment to supporting all Ethiopians, including the people of Tigray, in their pursuit of peace, security, and dignity. The United States also pledged to continue using diplomatic tools to hold accountable those whose actions threaten stability in the region.

The latest measures signal growing international concern over developments in Tigray and underscore U.S. efforts to prevent a resurgence of conflict in northern Ethiopia.