Ethiopia's army chief, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, has accused Eritrea and Sudan of supporting armed groups fighting against the government's troops in northern Ethiopia. In a statement on the army's YouTube channel, Jula claimed that these external forces were backing the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and other groups. The TPLF has been engaged in heavy clashes with the federal government since Wednesday, sparking concerns of a renewed civil war.
The conflict has led to significant displacement, with at least 150,000 people reportedly displaced in the Afar region. A humanitarian source indicated that the rebels had seized control of the Afar town of Erebti, near the border with Tigray, after intense artillery bombardment. The TPLF is now advancing towards the town of Afdeera, approximately 100 kilometers east of Erebti. The situation remains volatile, with fears of a wider conflict.
The TPLF has formed an alliance with seven armed groups across the country and appears to be implementing a strategy similar to the one used during the 2020-2022 civil war. The group's offensive in Afar aims to cut off supplies from Djibouti, which handles most of Ethiopia's international trade. The TPLF's advances have raised concerns about the potential for a wider conflict, with neighboring Eritrea possibly becoming involved on the side of the rebels.
A drone attack on Sunday damaged the headquarters of Tigrai TV, a key media outlet for the rebel authorities in Mekelle. A journalist from the station reported hearing a loud explosion and fleeing the building. Photos showed significant damage to the building's facade, with numerous windows blown out. The station, which employs around 400 people, was off-air after the attack, although no casualties were reported.
The federal government in Addis Ababa had previously suspended Tigrai TV's broadcasts "indefinitely" on September 21, citing concerns over the station's reporting. Other outlets were also banned from broadcasting its reports. The conflict has led to significant disruptions in communication, with major telecoms providers reporting disruptions to phone and internet services in Tigray.
The situation has sparked international concern, with United Nations chief Antonio Guterres expressing alarm over reports of drone use and civilian harm. The conflict has the potential to draw in neighboring countries, with Eritrea fearing that landlocked Ethiopia may try to invade and secure a direct access point to the Red Sea. The TPLF ruled Ethiopia from 1991 to 2018 before being sidelined with the rise of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The conflict has raised concerns about a potential repeat of the 2020-2022 civil war, which resulted in an estimated 600,000 deaths. The Pretoria Peace Agreement of 2022, brokered by African institutions and Washington, had maintained a fragile calm until last year. However, the agreement was never fully implemented, leaving around one million people unable to return to their homes. The renewed conflict has sparked fears of widespread humanitarian crises.
Key points
- Ethiopia's army chief accuses Eritrea and Sudan of backing armed groups fighting against the government.
- The TPLF has seized control of several towns in the Afar region and is advancing towards the town of Afdeera.
- A drone attack damaged the headquarters of Tigrai TV, a key media outlet for the rebel authorities in Mekelle.
