Several protests were reported on Friday, February 27, 2026, in multiple cities across the Tigray region of Ethiopia. The demonstrations were sparked by a controversial decision from the House of Federation regarding 'contested areas'—specifically Western and Southern Tigray—which the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) claims as its own. The protestors demanded that the Federal government reverse the decision, which effectively places these areas outside of the regional electoral districts for the upcoming seventh general election. Slogans such as 'The House of Federation’s decision without representation is unacceptable' were chanted throughout the streets of Mekelle and other urban centers. While the Federal High Court reportedly blocked the decision on Thursday, local authorities and citizens remain on edge. In a related development, reports indicate that TPLF authorities have initiated urgent military conscription, with sources suggesting that thousands of youth are being sent to training camps amidst fears of a return to full-scale war. The move comes as a response to perceived federal overreach and the continued occupation of Western Tigray by Amhara militias.