Italian forces surrendered a partially completed fort at Mekelle, a city in the northern Tigray Region of Ethiopia which they had occupied since 1895, to Ethiopian forces.

Ras Makonnen laid siege to the fort, and on the morning of 7 January 1896, the defenders of the fort spotted a huge red tent among the besiegers, showing that the emperor had arrived.

[2] After two weeks of bombardment by Ethiopian artillery and very costly attacks on the Italian positions, the Ethiopians managed to cut off the fort's water supply and then fought off desperate Italian attempts to retake the well.

[2] On 19 January 1896, the fort's commander, Major Galliano, whose men were dying of dehydration, raised the white flag of surrender.

[2][3] Major Galliano and his men were allowed to march out, surrender their arms and to go free.