Ethiopia and Eritrea trade accusations as tensions rise near their border

Ethiopia and Eritrea are accusing each other of military moves near their shared border, raising fears of renewed conflict in the Horn of Africa.

Eritrea says Ethiopia is planning to invade and take the coastal city of Assab to gain access to the sea.

Ethiopia says Eritrean forces entered Tigray, a region in northern Ethiopia, and that it may defend itself against foreign troops.

Eritrea denies that its forces crossed into Tigray.

Residents said Ethiopian troops and allied militias entered Adigrat, a city near the Eritrean border, but their control of the city has not been confirmed.

The countries signed a peace agreement in 2018 after decades of hostility, but relations worsened after Ethiopia said in 2023 that it wanted sovereign access to the sea.

Eritrea has asked the UN Security Council to condemn Ethiopia and take action, while the dispute also risks wider instability in the region.