3 days ago
Witnesses Report Eritrean Troops in Northern Ethiopian Town
People in Adigrat, a town in northern Ethiopia, told Reuters they saw Eritrean soldiers pass through in trucks.
They said the soldiers wore uniforms they recognized as Eritrean.
Reuters could not confirm what they saw.
Eritrea’s information minister said Eritrean troops were not there and accused Ethiopia of making claims to justify an attack.
Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of supporting the alliance fighting its federal forces in the north.
The two countries had recently cut diplomatic ties.
The fighting has raised concerns that the conflict could spread to neighboring countries.
The reports have not been independently verified.
Two Adigrat residents told Reuters they saw two trucks carrying dozens of Eritrean soldiers drive through town on Wednesday morning.
The residents said the soldiers wore off-white camouflage uniforms; Reuters could not independently verify their accounts.
Eritrea’s information minister Yemane Gebremeskel denied Eritrean forces were there and called the claims an Ethiopian pretext for aggression.
Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of backing the rebel alliance fighting federal forces in Tigray, Amhara and Afar since September 23.
The reports came amid worsening relations and fears that fighting in northern Ethiopia could spread beyond the country.
- Who
- Two Adigrat residents said they saw Eritrean soldiers; Eritrea’s information minister denied they were present.
- What
- Witnesses reported that two trucks carrying dozens of Eritrean soldiers drove through Adigrat.
- Where
- Adigrat, in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, about 25 km south of the Eritrean border.
- When
- Wednesday morning, according to the witnesses; the report was dated Oct. 7.
- Why
- The reason for the reported troop movement is not established. Eritrea denied its forces were there and said Ethiopia was using allegations to justify aggression.
Witnesses and Ethiopian allegations
Eritrea’s denial
Eritrean troops in Adigrat
Witnesses and Ethiopian allegations
Two residents told Reuters they saw trucks carrying Eritrean soldiers in the town.
Eritrea’s denial
Eritrea’s information minister denied Eritrean forces were there and said the allegations were intended to provide Ethiopia a pretext to attack.
Eritrea’s role in the conflict
Witnesses and Ethiopian allegations
Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of backing the rebel alliance fighting federal government troops.
Eritrea’s denial
Asmara has denied the allegations.
Key facts
- Reported location
- Adigrat, Tigray, northern Ethiopia
- Witness account
- Two residents reported seeing two trucks with dozens of soldiers
- Reported time
- Wednesday morning
- Distance from border
- About 25 km (15 miles) south of Eritrea
- Verification
- Reuters could not independently verify the accounts
- Ethiopian allegations
- Eritrea was backing the rebel alliance fighting federal forces
- Eritrean response
- Information minister Yemane Gebremeskel denied Eritrean forces were present
Quotes
Yemane Gebremeskel
Eritrea’s information minister
“Ethiopia “has tried to re-package this war agenda in terms of self-defence by fabricating various allegations against Eritrea,””
theprint.in
“So we connect the dots.”
theprint.in
Sources
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