Ethiopia has formally accused Eritrea of an all‑out invasion of its northern Tigray region, demanding that the neighbour defend itself. In a letter to the UN Security Council, Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos called the incursion a “blatant act of aggression that engages Ethiopia’s inherent right to self‑defence.” He said Eritrean troops had advanced up to 60 kilometres into Tigray.
Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel, meanwhile, described the move as an “unprovoked war of aggression” and blamed Ethiopia’s leaders for the sparks. He accused the Ethiopian government of attempting a regime change in Eritrea by backing opposition mercenaries. Both sides claim the other has violated a 2022 peace deal that ended the civil war in Tigray.
The border skirmish erupted when Ethiopians resumed fighting against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) after a brief attempt at reconciliation. Drone strikes reportedly hit Eritrean forces in the town of Adigrat on Wednesday and Thursday, with the conflict potentially widening the region’s instability. Blessing of US‑based monitors and the anonymous accounts of residents point to intense military activity.
The tension follows the last week’s severance of diplomatic ties over Eritrea’s lack of willingness to cooperate on the control of a Red Sea port that Ethiopia claims. Both sets of accusations carry the risk of a broader war, as the groups involved have been known to lose control over strategic positions quickly. The UN has urged restraint and dialogue while the region braces for possible escalation.
