Eritrea denies backing TPLF as Ethiopia alleges collusion, additional straining their already risky relationship.
Printed On 9 Oct 2026
Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of an “all-out invasion” in a message to the United Nations Safety Council, whereas Eritrea says it’s dealing with a “struggle of aggression” from its neighbour.
“The all-out invasion of components of northern Ethiopia by Eritrea is a matter of public file,” stated a letter by Ethiopia’s Minister of International Affairs Gedion Timothewos, which was shared with information companies on Friday.
Really useful Tales
checklist of three gadgetsfinish of checklist
“It’s a blatant act of aggression that engages Ethiopia’s inherent proper to self-defence,” added the letter dated Thursday and addressed to French International Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
Gedion stated that Eritrean troops had superior as much as 60 kilometres (37 miles) into Ethiopia’s northern Tigray area and demanded their withdrawal, simply days after the 2 nations cut diplomatic ties.
Eritrea’s Minister of Data Yemane Gebremeskel rejected Ethiopia’s claims.
“The Ethiopian regime has been pursuing, in impact, an unprovoked struggle of aggression in opposition to Eritrea for greater than three years now,” he stated on X.
Yemane stated Asmara had proven restraint since landlocked Ethiopia had primarily declared a struggle in opposition to Eritrea when it said in 2023 that it will acquire entry to the ocean.
Citing statements made by Ethiopian officers, Yemane accused Addis Ababa of utilizing the present battle to take Assab, an Eritrean port, to be able to restore entry to the Purple Sea.
Eritrea additionally denied Ethiopia’s declare that it’s backing the Tigray Individuals’s Liberation Entrance (TPLF), which is a part of an alliance of seven armed teams that has been trying to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s authorities since September.
Over the previous week, Ethiopia’s military has pushed again the TPLF and seized the Tigrayan capital, Mekelle.
Witnesses additionally instructed the AFP information company that rebels had misplaced the Tigrayan cities of Shire and Adigrat. Eritrean troops have been reportedly seen in Adigrat earlier than Ethiopian drone strikes hit them, in accordance with a number of witnesses.
Tumultuous historical past
Ethiopia and Eritrea have traded accusations because the reported incursions by Eritrean troops this week raised fears of outright struggle within the area, the place the 2 nations have fought earlier conflicts.
The stakes have been raised this time round by conflicts within the Horn of Africa area and tensions throughout the Purple Sea.
Diplomatic ties between the 2 have collapsed amid the escalation: Ethiopia closed its embassy in Asmara and ordered 10 Eritrean diplomats to go away the nation final week. In response, Eritrea introduced it was severing ties.
The neighbours have a tumultuous historical past, as Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 and so they fought a border struggle for 2 years in 1998.
Relations improved barely in 2018 when Abiy took energy in Addis Ababa, and Eritrea fought alongside Ethiopia in opposition to the TPLF in a civil struggle from 2020 to 2022.
Eritrea, nevertheless, was not a part of the peace deal that ended the struggle, which soured ties quickly afterwards.
Tensions are additionally fuelled by Abiy’s repeated declare that landlocked Ethiopia – which misplaced its entry to the coast when Eritrea secured independence – has a proper to sea access, which Eritrea sees as a risk to grab its Purple Sea port of Assab.
