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Eritrean Troops Deploy in Ethiopia's Tigray Region Amid Escalating Conflict
Confirmed
In Short: Eritrean troops have reportedly entered Ethiopia's Tigray region, raising fears of a wider regional war.
Eritrean troops have reportedly entered Ethiopia's Tigray region, raising fears of a wider regional war. Local officials and residents told AFP and Africanews that Eritrean forces have been seen in Adigrat, a town around 115 kilometers north of Mekelle, and are pushing south.
The conflict in Tigray began on September 23 when fighting erupted between the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and Ethiopian federal forces, sparking concerns of a return to the devastating civil war of 2020-2022.
Gebreigziabher Beyene, commander of the Tigray Peace Force, confirmed the presence of Eritrean troops in Tigray, stating, 'The Eritrean army has entered Tigray in uniform, equipped with heavy weaponry.' He added that Eritrea was 'deliberately deploying its forces so that the fighting takes place inside Tigray rather than spilling into Eritrea.'
Eritrea's information minister, Yemane Meskel, did not deny the troop movements but accused Ethiopia of creating a 'fallacious narrative of self-defense' to justify its actions.
Ethiopian federal forces, with the help of local militias, have successfully pushed back TPLF rebels and entered Mekelle without resistance. However, insecurity persists in the region, with reports of drone strikes in Adwa causing multiple deaths and injuries.
On Thursday, Ethiopia announced it was closing its embassy in Eritrea's capital, Asmara, and ordered 10 Eritrean diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours, citing national security threats.
Eritrea responded by severing all diplomatic relations with Ethiopia, accusing Addis Ababa of pursuing a 'persistent hostile agenda' and hosting, training, and arming Eritrean opposition groups.
Regional expert Kjetil Tronvoll of Oslo New University College explained that Eritrea's strategic interests in maintaining a buffer zone in northern Tigray are crucial for its security.
Local officials and residents expressed concern over the presence of Eritrean troops, with one anonymous official saying, 'The population is very concerned.'
Eritrea's foreign ministry warned of potential escalation, while Ethiopia accused Eritrean diplomats of involvement in activities threatening national security.
What this adds
The exact number of Eritrean troops involved and their specific objectives remain unclear.
What's confirmed
- Eritrean troops have deployed in recent days around a town in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, a local official and residents said Wednesday, threatening a wider regional war after two weeks of internal Ethiopian conflict.
- Fighting broke out between the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and Ethiopian federal forces on September 23, sparking fears of a return to the devastating civil war of 2020-2022.
- Multiple sources told AFP that Eritrean troops were in Adigrat, around 115 kilometres (70 miles) north of Mekelle, and were pushing south.
- "The Eritrean army has entered Tigray in uniform, equipped with heavy weaponry," said Gebreigziabher Beyene, commander of the Tigray Peace Force, a pro-government militia that has fought alongside the federal army.
- "This force is being struck by drones," he said, adding Eritrea was "deliberately deploying its forces so that the fighting takes place inside Tigray rather than spilling into Eritrea".
- The Ethiopian army has successfully pushed back Tigrayan rebels with the help of local militias and entered the regional capital of Mekelle at the weekend without a fight as the TPLF abandoned the city.
- In Adigrat, two eyewitnesses told AFP they saw Eritrean soldiers on the streets, heading south in lorries with heavy weaponry.
- Regional expert Kjetil Tronvoll, of Oslo New University College, told AFP that "for Eritrea it is essential to maintain strategic depth and a buffer zone in northern Tigray, and to meet and fight (the Ethiopian army) on Tigrayan soil".
- A local official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the troops had been there for days and "the population is very concerned".
- Insecurity was also reported to the west of Mekelle, with an Adwa resident telling AFP there had been drone strikes over the weekend on hotels in the town, causing multiple deaths and injuries.
- On Thursday, Ethiopia announced that it was closing its embassy in the Eritrean capital, Asmara, and ordered 10 Eritrean diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours, accusing them of activities that threatened national security.
- The diplomatic confrontation came hours after powerful explosions were heard overnight in Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, including near Ethiopia’s military headquarters.
What's still developing
- One eyewitness said "Eritrean troops, loaded onto large trucks, patrol vehicles and other vehicles" were heading south.
- "They are passing through, carrying heavy weaponry," the witness added.
- The diplomatic fallout comes as Ethiopian federal forces battle fighters from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and its allies across parts of Tigray, Afar and Amhara.
- Asmara described the Ethiopian measures as “unjustified hostile acts” and rejected Addis Ababa’s accusations that Eritrea had engaged in “hostile acts and direct and indirect acts of war” against Ethiopia.
- Eritrea alleged that Ethiopia sought to seize Eritrean ports and coastal areas and accused Addis Ababa of hosting, training and arming Eritrean opposition groups in an effort to fuel internal conflict and bring about “regime change.” Eritrea said it had exercised “patience and restraint” to avoid further escalation.
- Press Release: Ethiopia’s Deplorable Acts of Hostility The Ethiopian Government issued a Press Statement today announcing the closure of the Eritrean Embassy to Ethiopia as well as declaring ten Eritrean Diplomats, including the Charge d ’Affairs and other Eritrean Diplomats… pic.twitter.com/YSTevbbcuj Tensions in the Horn of Africa have escalated in recent months amid Ethiopia’s demands over portions of Eritrea’s Red Sea coastline.
- Eritrean Foreign Minister Saleh further warned of what he called Emirati “port imperialism ” in Africa, pointing to conglomerates DP World and AD Ports, which he said control strategic enclaves across the continent’s eastern region.
- The Eritrean foreign ministry issued a clear warning about the situation.
- In a statement, the Eritrean Foreign Ministry said Ethiopia had ordered the closure of its embassy in Asmara and expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats, including the chargé d’affaires and diplomats accredited to the African Union.