Ethiopia Says Eritrean Troops Entered Its Territory as Conflict Expands
Ethiopia accused Eritrea on October 9 of a full-scale invasion, saying Eritrean forces advanced up to 60 kilometers into Ethiopian territory as fighting spread from Tigray into Amhara and Afar. The accusation was sent to the United Nations and France, and Eritrea rejected it as a pretext for aggression. Renewed clashes began on September 23 after the 2022 Pretoria agreement, with a new coalition of armed opposition groups seeking to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government.
Ethiopia's foreign minister told the UN and France that Eritrean forces had pushed up to 60 km inside the country, an allegation Eritrea dismissed as cover for aggression. The claim was not independently verified. Fighting had resumed on Sept. 23, almost four years after the Pretoria accord ended the federal-TPLF war.
The new Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival, formed Sept. 20, united seven armed groups seeking to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, including the TPLF and Amhara Fano, despite past rivalry. Tigrayan forces took Mekelle, Aksum and Shire airports; federal troops later retook Mekelle. Clashes spread to Amhara and Afar, disrupting flights, internet and roads.
Renewed fighting could expose civilians in Tigray, Amhara and Afar to displacement, disrupted transport, communications and reduced access to services. If Eritrean involvement is confirmed, border communities may face greater insecurity, while national tensions could rise. Uncertainty around the Pretoria agreement may weaken confidence in peace arrangements and complicate aid delivery. Political and regional divisions could deepen, though coordinated opposition remains uncertain.