Tensions in the Horn of Africa have intensified after Eritrean troops were reportedly deployed in parts of Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, raising concerns that the latest fighting could develop into a broader conflict involving neighbouring countries.
Local residents and officials told AFP that Eritrean soldiers had been seen around Adigrat, a town in northern Tigray located close to the Eritrean border. Some of the troops were reportedly moving south, towards Mekelle, the regional capital.
The reported movement comes less than a month after fighting erupted between Ethiopia’s federal forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), reviving memories of the devastating 2020–2022 Tigray war.
Fighting Returns to Northern Ethiopia
The latest confrontation began on September 23, when fighting broke out between Ethiopian government forces and the TPLF-led opposition alliance.
The renewed violence has quickly changed the security situation across northern Ethiopia. Government forces, supported by allied local fighters, advanced into Tigray and eventually entered Mekelle after TPLF forces withdrew from the city.
The developments have heightened fears that the conflict could follow a trajectory similar to the previous war, which caused enormous loss of life and displaced millions of people.
Ethiopian authorities have accused Eritrea of supporting forces opposed to the federal government. The allegations have further damaged relations between the two neighbouring countries, which recently severed diplomatic ties.
Eritrean Soldiers Reportedly Seen in Adigrat
Adigrat has become a major focus of attention because of its proximity to Eritrea.
AFP reported that two residents witnessed Eritrean soldiers travelling through the town in military vehicles. They said the troops were carrying heavy weapons and appeared to be heading south.
A local official, speaking anonymously because of security concerns, said Eritrean forces had been present in the area for several days and that residents were increasingly worried about the situation.
Other reporting also cited residents who said they saw trucks carrying Eritrean soldiers moving through Adigrat. Reuters said the witnesses identified the soldiers by their distinctive military uniforms.
However, Eritrea has rejected accusations that it is deliberately backing or participating in the conflict.
Eritrea Rejects Ethiopia’s Narrative
Eritrea’s Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel has challenged Ethiopia’s accusations, arguing that Addis Ababa is attempting to create a justification for what Asmara describes as an aggressive campaign.
Eritrean officials have previously denied allegations of military involvement in the renewed fighting.
The conflicting accounts mean that the full scale and purpose of any Eritrean military movement inside Tigray remain difficult to independently establish.
Why Eritrea Is Watching the Conflict Closely
The latest escalation is particularly sensitive because of the troubled relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
The two countries fought a devastating border war between 1998 and 2000 before relations improved significantly in 2018. Eritrean forces later fought alongside Ethiopian federal troops during the 2020–2022 conflict against the TPLF.
Relations have deteriorated again amid disagreements over Ethiopia’s desire for reliable access to the Red Sea.
Eritrea has expressed concern that Ethiopia could eventually seek access to the sea through military pressure, particularly around the Eritrean port of Assab. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has repeatedly said his country wants sea access through peaceful means.
Mekelle Falls Under Government Control
The Ethiopian army’s entry into Mekelle represents a major development in the latest conflict.
Government forces and allied fighters reached the regional capital after TPLF forces withdrew. The development came after federal forces made rapid advances through parts of Tigray.
The TPLF, however, has indicated that the loss of territory does not mean the conflict is over.
The renewed fighting therefore remains highly unpredictable, particularly as neighbouring Eritrea becomes increasingly involved in the security situation along the northern border.
Risk of a Regional Conflict
The possibility of the conflict spreading beyond Ethiopia has become one of the biggest concerns for regional observers.
Tigray borders Eritrea to the north and Sudan to the west, while the wider Horn of Africa is already facing several security and political crises.
Ethiopia has also accused other neighbouring countries of supporting opposition groups, although those allegations have been rejected.
The African Union has urged the countries involved to exercise restraint and pursue diplomatic solutions as tensions rise.
For civilians in Tigray, the developments have revived memories of the previous war and fears of another prolonged humanitarian crisis.
With Ethiopian forces consolidating their position in Mekelle and reports of Eritrean troops moving around Adigrat, the situation remains extremely fragile.
Any direct confrontation between Ethiopian and Eritrean forces could significantly widen the conflict and create another major security crisis in the Horn of Africa.
