World · Africa · 2 days ago
Ethiopia and Eritrea trade accusations as tensions rise in Tigray
Ethiopia and Eritrea are accusing each other of provoking a war as fighting intensifies in Tigray, in northern Ethiopia.
A security source estimates that 5,000 to 8,000 Eritrean troops are in the region, though the figure has not been independently confirmed.
Ethiopia says Eritrean forces should leave its territory and has asked the UN Security Council to press for their withdrawal.
Eritrea denies responsibility for the tensions and has accused Ethiopia of beating the drums of war.
The countries previously fought a border war from 1998 to 2000, and their diplomatic ties have recently been severed.
Ethiopia’s stated goal of gaining direct access to the Red Sea has added to Eritrea’s concerns about its sovereignty.
Fighting in Tigray continues, and the two governments’ demands and accusations leave the risk of a wider conflict unresolved.
Ethiopia and Eritrea accused each other of aggression as fighting in northern Ethiopia raised fears of a wider regional war.
Ethiopia says Eritrean troops are in Tigray and has called for their withdrawal, while Eritrea accuses Addis Ababa of pursuing an unprovoked war.
A security source estimated that between 5,000 and 8,000 Eritrean soldiers were in Tigray.
Ethiopian forces have reportedly pushed back Tigrayan rebels and retaken Mekelle, Shire and Adigrat.
Tensions also center on Ethiopia’s calls for direct access to the Red Sea, which Eritrea views as a threat to its sovereignty.
- Who
- Ethiopia and Eritrea. Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of backing Tigrayan rebels, while Eritrea accuses Ethiopia of aggression.
- What
- The countries traded accusations as fighting in Tigray raised fears of a regional war.
- When
- Friday, October 9, 2026. Ethiopia’s letter to the UN Security Council was dated October 8.
- Where
- Tigray, in northern Ethiopia.
- Why
- The countries dispute Eritrean troop presence and support for rebels, amid tensions over Ethiopia’s demand for direct access to the Red Sea.
Ethiopia
Eritrea
Eritrean troops
Ethiopia
Ethiopia says Eritrean troops are in its territory and has called for their immediate withdrawal.
Eritrea
Eritrea says Ethiopia is waging an unprovoked war against it.
Responsibility for escalating tensions
Ethiopia
Ethiopia says Eritrea is backing Tigrayan rebels.
Eritrea
Eritrea’s information minister accused Ethiopia of “incessantly beating the drums of war.
no option but to defend itself against Eritrea
incessantly beating the drums of war
the sovereign state of Eritrea is bound by blood and law.
woe to those who touch it.
Tigrayan rebels launched attacks against federal forces, according to France 24.
Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Meskel accused Ethiopia of “incessantly beating the drums of war” in a post on X.
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos dated a letter to the UN Security Council calling for Eritrean troops to withdraw.
Ethiopia and Eritrea traded accusations of aggression as fighting in northern Ethiopia raised fears of a regional war.
- Reported Eritrean troops
- 5,000 to 8,000 soldiers in Tigray, according to a security source
- Ethiopian letter
- Dated October 8; called for the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean troops
- Reportedly retaken cities
- Mekelle, Shire and Adigrat
- Diplomatic ties
- Ethiopia and Eritrea severed ties days before the Friday accusations
- Prior border war
- 1998–2000
Sources
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