Ethiopian forces and their allied militia have advanced towards Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, after claiming to have taken control of Milazat, a town about 20 kilometers southeast of Mekelle. The Tigray Peace Forces (TPF) announced on social media that they had captured Milazat, while heavy clashes continue in Tigray and surrounding areas.
Reports from the scene indicate that federal Ethiopian forces and their allied militia have rapidly pushed southward in Tigray this week, while TPLF-led resistance fighters engage in battles on other fronts. The fighting has heightened concerns that the Tigray conflict may spill over into neighboring countries, particularly as tensions between Addis Ababa and neighboring countries have worsened.
The escalation in tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea came after Ethiopia announced on October 1 that it was closing its embassy in Asmara and expelling 10 Eritrean diplomats. The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry stated that the diplomats were declared persona non grata, citing alleged involvement in activities deemed a direct threat to national security. The diplomats were given 48 hours to leave the country.
Eritrea responded by completely severing diplomatic ties with Ethiopia, vowing to reciprocate Addis Ababa's move. The decisions have reignited tensions between the two countries, which previously engaged in a border conflict from 1998 to 2000 and later restored diplomatic relations in 2018.
The Ethiopian government has accused Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt of supporting the TPLF-led armed opposition. The three countries have denied these allegations. Eritrea, in turn, accuses Ethiopia of backing Eritrean opposition groups, with the two nations disagreeing on several issues, including border security and Ethiopia's interests in accessing a seaport.
An analysis by Reuters suggests that the convergence of Ethiopia's internal conflict and its disputes with neighboring countries increases the risk of the conflict having far-reaching consequences beyond Ethiopia's borders. Mekelle is facing growing pressure as government and allied forces close in on the city. Reports from Mekelle indicate that some banks and businesses have shut down, with residents fearing the conflict may reach the city.
The new fighting is reportedly the most intense in Tigray since the 2020-2022 conflict. As clashes persist, the African Union has called for restraint from all parties, with the primary concern being that the Tigray conflict may escalate into a regional dispute involving neighboring countries.
Key points
- Ethiopian forces advance towards Mekelle, Tigray's capital
- Eritrea cuts diplomatic ties with Ethiopia amid escalating tensions
- Conflict raises concerns of regional spillover and humanitarian crisis
