World · Africa · 1 day ago
Ethiopian forces enter Adigrat amid disputed Eritrean incursion
Residents said Ethiopian government forces and an allied militia entered Adigrat, a city in Ethiopia’s Tigray region near the Eritrean border, on Saturday.
It was not independently confirmed that Ethiopian forces had taken control of the city.
Ethiopia says Eritrean troops advanced into Tigray, while Eritrea denies making an incursion.
Explosions were reported near Adigrat earlier in the week, and a conflict monitor said Ethiopia used drone strikes before Eritrean forces withdrew from positions near the city.
The dispute has raised fears of renewed war between the two countries, which fought before making peace in 2018.
Relations have worsened amid fighting in northern Ethiopia and a dispute over Ethiopia’s goal of gaining access to the sea.
No next steps were stated.
Ethiopian government forces and allied militia entered Adigrat on Saturday, residents told Reuters.
The reported entry came days after Eritrean troops were said to have been pushed back from the strategic border city.
Reuters could not confirm whether Ethiopian forces controlled Adigrat.
Ethiopia said Eritrean troops had advanced up to 60 km inside Tigray, while Eritrea denied an incursion.
The reports have raised fears of renewed war between the neighbouring countries.
- Who
- Ethiopian government forces and allied militia entered the city, according to residents.
- What
- Ethiopian forces entered Adigrat after a reported Eritrean incursion, which Eritrea denies.
- When
- Saturday, October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Adigrat, about 30 km from the Eritrean border, in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.
- Why
- Ethiopia says Eritrean troops advanced into Tigray and that it must defend itself. Eritrea says the incursion reports are false and intended to justify war.
Ethiopia
Eritrea
Alleged incursion
Ethiopia
Ethiopia says Eritrean troops advanced up to 60 km inside Tigray.
Eritrea
Eritrea says reports of an incursion are false.
Responsibility for tensions
Ethiopia
Ethiopia says it has no option but to defend itself against the presence of foreign forces.
Eritrea
Eritrea accuses Ethiopia of planning a war of aggression.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
Explosions were reported near Adigrat, and ACLED said Ethiopia used drone strikes against Eritrean forces.
An Adigrat resident told Reuters explosions continued overnight and into the morning outside town.
Residents said Ethiopian forces and allied militia entered Adigrat.
- City
- Adigrat
- Distance from Eritrea
- About 30 km (19 miles)
- Ethiopian claim
- Eritrean troops advanced up to 60 km (37 miles) inside Tigray
- Reported entry
- Saturday, October 10, 2026
- Conflict monitor
- ACLED said Ethiopia used drone strikes against Eritrean forces
Sources
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