Eritrean troops move deep into Ethiopia’s Tigray region as fighting escalates
Eritrean troops have reportedly entered northern Ethiopia and are moving towards areas where fighting has erupted between Ethiopia’s national army and regional forces, according to residents in the Tigrayan town of Adigrat who spoke to the BBC.
The renewed fighting began about two weeks ago following months of tensions between Ethiopia’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which controls the Tigray region. Both sides have accused each other of violating the 2022 agreement that brought an end to a two-year civil war.
Ethiopia has also accused Eritrea of supporting the TPLF, an allegation the Eritrean government has previously rejected.
The latest escalation comes after the formation in September of a new alliance of armed groups in Ethiopia, which includes the TPLF.
Over the weekend, TPLF fighters withdrew from Mekelle, Tigray’s regional capital, which lies about 115km south of Adigrat. The city is now under the control of Ethiopian federal forces.
Eritrea was a key ally of Ethiopia during the 2020–2022 Tigray war, fighting alongside Ethiopian forces against the TPLF. The conflict was among the deadliest of the century and pushed parts of Tigray towards famine.
Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have since deteriorated, largely over Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s ambitions to secure access to and ownership of one of Eritrea’s Red Sea ports.
The tensions intensified last week when Ethiopia and Eritrea severed diplomatic ties, raising concerns that the renewed fighting could develop into a wider regional conflict.
The BBC said it has been unable to independently report from Tigray and neighbouring areas, although telephone and internet services have been restored in most parts since federal forces took control of Mekelle.
Several sources told the BBC that Eritrean troops had moved from the border town of Zalambessa towards central Tigray. Military convoys were reportedly seen passing through Adigrat and travelling towards Edaga Hamus, a town located between Adigrat and Mekelle.
One Adigrat resident, who spoke anonymously for security reasons, said he saw about 40 trucks carrying soldiers travelling south.
Another resident said Eritrean-registered military trucks had initially been seen moving through the town at night before larger convoys appeared during the day.
The resident said between 20 and 30 large trucks were observed heading towards Edaga Hamus, while people travelling along the route reportedly saw additional vehicles carrying heavy weapons, including anti-aircraft guns. Some troops were also allegedly travelling on foot.
A source in Mekelle told the BBC that relatives in Adigrat had reported even larger troop movements, estimating that as many as 60 trucks carrying soldiers had been seen before the troops were deployed in mountainous areas near Edaga Hamus.
Images circulating on social media appear to show military trucks carrying uniformed personnel travelling towards Adigrat, Edaga Hamus and possibly Wukro. However, the BBC said it had not independently verified the images.
Sources in Wukro also told the BBC that Ethiopian national army troops and allied fighters had entered the town on Wednesday following an exchange of heavy weapons about 15km south of the town.
The reported movements of Eritrean troops have not been independently verified by the BBC.
The alleged return of Eritrean forces has caused renewed anxiety among residents of Tigray, many of whom remember allegations of atrocities committed by Eritrean soldiers during the recent civil war.
One resident of Adigrat said the sight of Eritrean troops had brought back painful memories of the previous conflict and left residents distressed.
A resident of Edaga Hamus also claimed that Eritrean troops had passed through the town and that drone strikes had taken place nearby, targeting soldiers.
In an interview with private broadcaster Fana Television, senior Ethiopian government official Abraham Belay accused Eritrea of directly participating in the latest conflict.
He alleged that Eritrean forces had entered the fighting with significant military and logistical support and claimed that Eritrean soldiers had been killed or captured.
Belay warned that Ethiopia would retaliate against Eritrea, accusing it of crossing the border and fighting alongside forces the Ethiopian government considers insurgents.
Source: BBC
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