Ethiopia-Eritrea tensions deepen amid fears of renewed conflict

The escalating tensions have raised fears of renewed fighting along the countries’ shared border.

Residents in Adigrat, a city in Tigray near Eritrea, said Ethiopian government forces and allied militia had entered the area on Saturday.

The developments came days after reports that Eritrean troops had withdrawn or been pushed back from positions near the strategic town, which has previously been controlled by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

Residents described deteriorating conditions, with shortages of food and medical supplies affecting vulnerable people.

“Children and the elderly are suffering from hunger. Sick people are dying due to a lack of medical treatment,” resident Hagos Woldegebriel said.

Teame Lemlem, who was displaced from Zalambessa during an earlier conflict, said essential supplies were running out and banks remained closed.

“People are also dying without medical care. If peace prevails, it would bring us great hope,” he said.

The latest confrontation follows renewed clashes involving TPLF fighters and Ethiopian federal forces in the northern region. Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of supporting the rebels, while Asmara has rejected allegations of military involvement.

The two countries have a history of conflict, including a devastating border war between 1998 and 2000, after Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993.

Relations improved in 2018 after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office and pursued rapprochement with Eritrea, but tensions have since resurfaced.

Ethiopia’s repeated calls for direct access to the sea have also heightened concerns in Eritrea, which views the demand as a potential threat to its sovereignty and its Red Sea port of Assab.

The TPLF fought Ethiopian government forces in a devastating war from 2020 to 2022, during which Eritrea supported Ethiopian forces.

The latest escalation has renewed concerns that the conflict could widen and threaten stability across the region.

WARNING All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.