World · Africa · 1 day ago
Ethiopia and Eritrea trade accusations as tensions rise over Tigray
Ethiopia and Eritrea are trading accusations as tensions rise around Tigray, a region in northern Ethiopia.
Ethiopia says Eritrean troops there are an act of aggression that could justify self-defence.
Eritrea’s information minister called an Ethiopian demand made in 2023 a “declaration of war” and accused Ethiopia of attacking Eritrea.
Estimates cited in the story say as many as 8,000 Eritrean soldiers may be in Tigray.
Fighting between Ethiopian government forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front resumed on September 23, and the EU has warned of a risk of wider conflict.
The TPLF once dominated Ethiopia’s government, but lost influence after Abiy Ahmed became prime minister; the group later regained control in Tigray.
The 2020–2022 war between Ethiopian forces and the TPLF is estimated to have killed more than 600,000 people, and Eritrea became independent from Ethiopia in 1993 after a long war.
Tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea have risen amid mutual accusations and renewed fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.
Ethiopia’s foreign minister called the presence of Eritrean troops in Tigray an act of aggression that could justify self-defence.
Eritrea’s information minister accused Ethiopia of waging an unprovoked war against Eritrea for more than three years.
Estimates cited by the article put the number of Eritrean soldiers in Tigray at up to 8,000.
The European Union has warned of a possible escalation.
- Who
- Ethiopia and Eritrea, including their foreign and information ministers.
- What
- The two countries have traded accusations as tensions rise over Tigray and Eritrean troops there.
- When
- The accusations were reported on October 10, 2026; fighting in northern Ethiopia resumed on September 23.
- Where
- Tigray, in northern Ethiopia, and the wider Horn of Africa.
- Why
- Ethiopia says Eritrean troops in Tigray are an act of aggression; Eritrea accuses Ethiopia of waging an unprovoked war.
Ethiopian government
Eritrean government
Eritrean troops in Tigray
Ethiopian government
Ethiopia’s foreign minister called their presence a clear act of aggression that justifies Ethiopia’s right to self-defence.
Eritrean government
Eritrea’s information minister accused Ethiopia of waging an unprovoked war against Eritrea for more than three years.
Support for TPLF
Ethiopian government
Ethiopia accuses Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting the TPLF.
Eritrean government
Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt deny the accusation.
unprovoked war of aggression against Eritrea
a clear act of aggression that justifies the exercise of Ethiopia’s right to self-defence
The TPLF dominated Ethiopia, before losing influence as Abiy Ahmed rose to power.
Ethiopia’s war with the TPLF killed more than 600,000 people, according to estimates cited from the African Union.
The TPLF drove the central government-appointed administration out of Tigray and regained de facto control there.
Fighting in northern Ethiopia resumed, with TPLF attacks in Amhara and Afar.
Ethiopia sent a letter to the French mission to the United Nations about Eritrean troops in Tigray.
- Estimated Eritrean troops in Tigray
- Up to 8,000
- Fighting resumed
- September 23
- TPLF control in Tigray
- Regained de facto control in April
- War deaths
- More than 600,000, according to African Union estimates
- Eritrea’s independence
- Declared in 1993
Sources
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