Ethiopia's army commander, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, has accused Eritrea and Sudan of backing armed groups fighting against the federal government in the north of the country. The accusations come as heavy clashes have resumed between the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and the federal government since Wednesday. The renewed violence has raised fears of a return to the 2020-2022 civil war that resulted in an estimated 600,000 deaths.
The TPLF has seized airports and launched attacks into the neighboring states of Afar and Amhara, saying they are engaged in a "defensive war" against the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. A humanitarian source reported that the Afar town of Erebti, near the border with Tigray, fell to the rebels on Sunday after being pounded by heavy artillery. The TPLF is now advancing towards the town of Afdeera, some 100 kilometers to the east.
According to a humanitarian source, at least 150,000 people have been displaced in Afar, but precise numbers are difficult to determine. The TPLF has allied with seven armed groups around the country and appears to be repeating a strategy from the last war of pushing south through Amhara towards Addis Ababa. Its offensive in Afar aims to cut supplies from Djibouti, which provides almost all of Ethiopia's international trade cargo, including fuel.
The headquarters of Tigrai TV, a key outlet for the rebel authorities in the Tigrayan capital, Mekelle, was hit by a drone on Sunday. A journalist from the station reported hearing a loud bang from a drone strike and fleeing the building. Photos showed the building's facade damaged and blackened, with numerous windows blown out by the explosion. The channel has not commented on the incident.
The federal government in Addis Ababa had previously suspended Tigrai TV "indefinitely" on September 21 and banned other outlets from broadcasting its reports. Communications have been limited since Friday due to major disruptions to phone and internet services in Tigray, making reporting on the conflict difficult. Many in Tigray fear a repeat of the blockade imposed by the federal government during the 2020-2022 conflict.
Field Marshal Birhanu Jula stated that the forces fighting against the government are organized and allied to serve the interests of external forces. He claimed that neither Eritrea nor the TPLF can achieve anything alone without being backed, supported, and supplied by Sudan, Egypt, and other external powers. The accusations have not been verified, but they highlight the complex regional dynamics at play in the conflict.
The renewed clashes have sparked concerns about the humanitarian situation in the region. The 2020-2022 civil war resulted in significant human suffering, and there are fears that the current violence could lead to another humanitarian crisis. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, and efforts are being made to broker a ceasefire and negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Key points
- Ethiopia's army commander accuses Eritrea and Sudan of supporting Tigray rebels.
- Clashes between TPLF and federal government resume, raising fears of renewed civil war.
- Humanitarian situation in Afar deteriorates with at least 150,000 displaced.
