Ethiopian drone strikes have targeted Eritrean forces near the northern Tigrayan city of Adigrat, a conflict monitor and witnesses reported on Thursday. The strikes come amid fears of a wider regional war between the two neighbouring countries, which have a history of conflict. Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea deteriorated in recent months, with Ethiopia accusing Eritrea of backing rebels in its northern Tigray state.
The conflict monitor ACLED reported that Eritrean troops and ammunition in the Adigrat area were hit by multiple drone strikes overnight between Wednesday and Thursday. Witnesses described hearing massive explosions and seeing Eritrean military vehicles that had been hit by drones. One witness reported that Eritrean troops appeared to be retreating north, while another said that some Eritrean lorries had been destroyed and were no longer in the streets.
The Eritrean information minister, Yemane Meskel, accused Ethiopia of working to bring about regime change in Eritrea by providing shelter and support to opposition mercenaries. Asmara's troops crossed the border into Ethiopia this week and were positioned around Adigrat, multiple sources reported. The two countries severed diplomatic ties last week, with Ethiopia expelling 10 Eritrean diplomats and shutting its embassy in Asmara.
A high-ranking Ethiopian federal army commander sought to play down the conflict, saying there were only small pockets of enemy forces still resisting and trying to create trouble. However, the drone strikes and Eritrean troop movements suggest a more serious escalation of the conflict. The relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea had improved markedly with the rise to power of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2018.
Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993, cutting off the latter from the coast. After years of war and tension, their relations improved, and Eritrea even fought alongside Ethiopia during the latter's 2020-2022 civil war against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). However, the relationship deteriorated soon after, with Eritrea voicing anger over the terms of the peace agreement that ended that war.
Ethiopia's claims that it has a right to sea access have also contributed to the tensions with Eritrea. The two countries have a long-standing dispute over the border and access to the Red Sea. Eritrea has accused Ethiopia of looking for a pretext to invade its territory and seize direct access to the Red Sea.
The conflict has raised concerns about regional stability, with the UN and other international organizations calling for restraint and dialogue. Neither Ethiopia nor Eritrea has responded to questions about the fighting, and it is unclear what the next steps will be in the conflict.
Key points
- Ethiopian drones targeted Eritrean forces near Adigrat amid rising tensions
- Eritrean troops were positioned around Adigrat before the drone strikes
- The conflict has raised concerns about regional stability and access to the Red Sea
