Ethiopia Accuses Eritrea of Sending Troops Into Tigray as Regional Tensions Rise
Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of deploying troops into the Tigray region without authorization, raising fears of renewed conflict between Addis Ababa and Asmara and further instability across the Horn of Africa.
ADDIS ABABA (Somali Report) — Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of violating its sovereignty by allegedly deploying armed forces into the Tigray region without the authorization of the federal government, escalating tensions between the two neighboring countries and raising concerns about a possible return to war.
Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Somalia, Suleiman Daddafo, alleged that Eritrean troops had crossed the internationally recognized border into Tigray, where they were allegedly received by what he described as a “mafia group” preparing for a confrontation with the federal government.
Daddafo said the reported deployment would constitute a serious violation of Ethiopia’s territorial integrity and international law. He argued that the presence of foreign troops on Ethiopian territory without government consent could have significant legal, political and security consequences.
The ambassador made the allegations in posts on his official X account, indicating that further details would be provided.
Ethiopia Raises Alarm Over TPLF-Eritrea Links
The accusations come amid growing concerns in Addis Ababa over alleged cooperation between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and Eritrea.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has accused the TPLF of working with Eritrea to prepare for military operations against the federal government.
Getachew Reda, a former president of the Tigray Interim Administration and current adviser to Abiy, has also accused the TPLF of forming alliances with domestic and foreign actors aimed at challenging the federal government.
Daddafo went further, alleging that senior Eritrean military commanders, intelligence officials and military assets are operating inside Tigray.
He claimed preparations could be underway for a coordinated offensive against federal authorities.
However, the allegations have not been independently verified.
Ethiopia Cites Right to Self-Defence
The Ethiopian ambassador said the United Nations Charter and international law recognize Ethiopia’s right to defend its sovereignty against foreign military aggression.
He warned that continued Eritrean involvement could force Addis Ababa to take defensive measures, while cautioning that further escalation could destabilize the wider Horn of Africa.
The Eritrean government has not publicly confirmed or denied the allegations.
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Tedros Warns Ethiopia Against Another War
The latest accusations come as concerns grow over renewed violence in several parts of Ethiopia.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged Ethiopia’s federal and regional leaders to choose dialogue rather than military confrontation.
Tedros warned that continued fighting in Amhara and Oromia, combined with renewed tensions in Tigray, could produce further deaths, displacement and destruction.
“War brings only death, destruction, and displacement,” Tedros said, urging Ethiopians to pursue political solutions.
His intervention comes against the backdrop of Ethiopia’s devastating 2020–2022 Tigray war, which ended with the Pretoria peace agreement.
Ethiopia-Eritrea Relations Deteriorate
Relations between Addis Ababa and Asmara have deteriorated significantly since the Pretoria agreement.
Eritrea fought alongside Ethiopian federal forces during the Tigray war, but relations have since become increasingly strained, particularly over Ethiopia’s ambitions to secure reliable access to the Red Sea.
The issue has contributed to broader geopolitical tensions involving Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and Egypt.
Egypt has strengthened relations with Eritrea and Somalia amid its longstanding dispute with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and concerns about Nile water flows.
A Fragile Peace Under Pressure
If the allegations of an Eritrean military presence in Tigray are confirmed, the development could significantly increase the risk of a new confrontation between Addis Ababa and Asmara.
It could also further complicate efforts to preserve the fragile peace established by the Pretoria agreement and create new humanitarian and security challenges for the region.
For now, however, the claims remain allegations made by Ethiopian officials. Eritrea has yet to issue an official response, while no independent evidence confirming the reported deployment has been made public.
About the Author
Aden Warsame is a Senior Reporter at Somali Report, covering politics, security, diplomacy, business, and regional affairs across Somalia and the Horn of Africa.