Ethiopia has accused Eritrean forces of launching a full-scale invasion of its northern territory, prompting the Ethiopian government to assert its right to self-defense. According to Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos, Eritrean troops advanced as far as 60 kilometers into Ethiopia. This development has raised concerns about the potential for a wider conflict in the region. The situation escalated after reports of Eritrean soldiers entering northern Ethiopia, days after the two countries severed diplomatic ties.
The Ethiopian Foreign Minister sent a letter to the United Nations, dated Thursday, stating that Eritrea's actions constitute a blatant act of aggression. The letter was addressed to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and distributed to other members of the UN Security Council. In response, Eritrea's Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel denied the accusations, claiming that Ethiopia has been engaging in a campaign of aggression against Eritrea for over three years. Yemane accused Addis Ababa of seeking to capture the Eritrean port of Assab to regain access to the Red Sea.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has emphasized that securing access to the sea is a vital national interest, but has also stressed that the issue should be resolved peacefully. The two countries have a history of conflict, with Ethiopia losing its coastline when Eritrea gained independence in 1993. Although they signed a peace agreement in 2018, relations deteriorated again towards the end of the 2020-2022 war in Tigray. Eritrea had initially fought alongside Ethiopian federal forces during that conflict.
The conflict monitor ACLED reported that drone strikes, believed to have been carried out by the Ethiopian military, targeted Eritrean forces on Wednesday and Thursday as they withdrew from positions near Adigrat. A resident of Adigrat confirmed that repeated explosions could be heard overnight and into the morning from areas several kilometers outside the town. Ethiopian government forces have made gains in Tigray in recent days, with national carrier Ethiopian Airlines announcing that it would resume flights to Mekelle, the regional capital, on October 11.
Eritrea has denied supporting an armed rebel alliance fighting Ethiopian federal forces in the northern regions of Tigray, Amhara, and Afar. The rebel alliance has been fighting federal troops since September 23. The renewed fighting has heightened fears of a broader regional war in the Horn of Africa, where tensions over security and access to the Red Sea have grown. The Tigray conflict resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and displaced millions.
The international community is closely watching the situation, with concerns about the potential for escalation. Abiy Ahmed was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for his efforts to bring peace to the region. However, the current developments have raised questions about the stability of the region and the effectiveness of previous peace agreements.
The situation remains volatile, with both sides accusing each other of aggression. The Ethiopian government has asserted its right to self-defense, while Eritrea has denied any wrongdoing. The international community is urging restraint and calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Key points
- Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of invading its northern territory, prompting concerns about a broader regional war.
- Eritrea denies the accusations, claiming that Ethiopia has been engaging in a campaign of aggression.
- The conflict has heightened fears of a wider regional war in the Horn of Africa.
