The leaders of the northern Ethiopian region of Tigray announced on Wednesday that they have entered a new war with the federal government. This development comes after months of growing animosity between the two sides, culminating in the formation of an alliance between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and six other armed groups from across Ethiopia. The alliance aims to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government.
A 2020-2022 civil war between the TPLF and federal forces resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths before the Pretoria Agreement was signed in November 2022. However, the peace deal appears to have collapsed, as fighting broke out in Tigray and two neighbouring regions. The TPLF-led regional administration stated that the Tigray Forces have been instructed to counter the attack and have entered a defensive war.
According to Getachew Reda, an adviser to Abiy and a former TPLF official, the TPLF seized control of federally controlled airports in Tigray and launched an “all out offensive” against government positions in the neighbouring regions of Afar and Amhara. This information was corroborated by four sources, including a senior Ethiopian government official, a diplomatic source, a humanitarian source, and another source with links to the TPLF and an allied militia.
The outbreak of new fighting has led to Ethiopian Airlines suspending flights to the region. In Afar, Tigrayan forces are fighting alongside a local armed group, while in Amhara, they are fighting alongside the Fano militia. Notably, Fano sided with the federal government during the 2020-2022 war but rose up against it in 2023 and is a member of the new alliance with the TPLF.
The federal government has accused the TPLF of violating the Pretoria Agreement and seeking to create chaos. Abiy’s spokesperson, Billene Seyoum, stated on Monday that members of the newly announced alliance had been collaborating with the financial backing of Ethiopia’s neighbour and historic adversary Eritrea. Eritrea has repeatedly denied accusations of supporting Ethiopian armed groups.
The situation remains volatile, with the international community watching closely. The conflict has the potential to destabilize the region and exacerbate existing humanitarian challenges. Eritrea’s information minister declined to comment on Wednesday about the latest developments, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the conflict.
The conflict in Tigray and neighbouring regions has significant implications for regional stability and security. The TPLF’s alliance with other armed groups and the involvement of Eritrea, if confirmed, could further complicate the situation. The international community is urged to engage with all parties to promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Key points
- The TPLF has formed an alliance with six other armed groups from across Ethiopia to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government.
- The conflict has resulted in the suspension of Ethiopian Airlines flights to the region.
- Eritrea has repeatedly denied accusations of supporting Ethiopian armed groups.
