World · Africa · 3 hrs ago
Ethiopia and Eritrea face growing risk of a full-scale war
Ethiopian and Eritrean forces are facing off near their shared border as tensions rise over fighting in northern Ethiopia.
Ethiopia says Eritrea is supporting the Tigray People's Liberation Front, which launched a rebellion in Tigray last month; Eritrea has reportedly sent soldiers into Ethiopia.
Ethiopian forces pushed the rebels back and advanced north, while both countries have expelled each other's diplomats and cut relations.
Hundreds have reportedly been killed in the latest fighting, and the Tigray region was devastated by a war from 2020 to 2022.
A wider war could deepen instability across the Horn of Africa, where conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia are already causing major damage.
The United States and Canada have urged the sides to ease tensions and avoid escalation, but the border confrontation continues.
Ethiopian and Eritrean forces are increasingly at risk of a full-scale war after weeks of clashes and military advances.
Ethiopian troops have moved toward the Eritrean border, while Eritrea has reportedly sent thousands of soldiers into northern Ethiopia.
The two countries have expelled each other’s diplomats and severed relations, accusing each other of plotting war.
Ethiopia says Eritrea is supporting a Tigrayan rebellion that began last month; Eritrea’s position is not stated in the article.
The fighting has raised fears of a wider regional crisis, amid conflicts and cross-border tensions in the Horn of Africa.
- Who
- Ethiopia and Eritrea, whose forces are facing each other amid escalating tensions.
- What
- The countries face a growing risk of full-scale war after clashes, military advances and diplomatic expulsions.
- When
- The tensions have escalated in recent weeks; the article was published on October 15, 2026.
- Where
- Along the Ethiopia-Eritrea border and in northern Ethiopia, including Tigray.
- Why
- Ethiopia alleges Eritrea is supporting the Tigray People’s Liberation Front; both countries accuse each other of plotting war.
Ethiopia
Eritrea
TPLF support
Ethiopia
Ethiopia alleges Eritrea is supporting the Tigray People’s Liberation Front rebellion.
Eritrea
Eritrea’s response to the allegation is not stated.
Cross-border military activity
Ethiopia
Ethiopia alleges Eritrean troops crossed the border and advanced into Ethiopian territory.
Eritrea
Eritrea’s account of the reported troop movements is not stated.
War risk
Ethiopia
Ethiopia has moved troops toward the border amid the rising tensions.
Eritrea
Eritrea has reportedly sent thousands of soldiers across the border into northern Ethiopia.
Ethiopia has launched dozens of drone strikes in Tigray, including reported attacks on Eritrean troops and Tigrayan rebels.
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front launched a rebellion in northern Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian army recaptured most of Tigray’s cities and towns and advanced toward the Eritrean border.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to avoid cross-border incursions.
Canada said it was deeply concerned about the danger of regional escalation and called for an easing of cross-border rhetoric.
- Reported Eritrean troops
- Thousands reportedly crossed into northern Ethiopia.
- Reported advance
- Eritrean troops allegedly advanced as far as 60 kilometres into Ethiopia.
- Tigray war
- An estimated 600,000 civilians died from violence or starvation between 2020 and 2022.
- TPLF rebellion
- Began last month in Ethiopia’s northern region of Tigray.
What people are saying
avoid cross-border incursions
If war breaks out, it could be the biggest since the Russia-Ukraine war
It might even surpass it in terms of the number of combatants.