World
Ethiopia and Eritrea Exchange Accusations of Invasion and Aggression
Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of an "all‑out invasion" of northern Tigray, sending a letter to the United Nations Security Council and to French Foreign Minister Jean‑Noel Barrot. Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timothewos, said Eritrean troops had advanced up to 60 kilometres (37 miles) into the Tigray region and demanded their withdrawal, citing the recent severing of diplomatic ties.
Eritrea’s Minister of Information, Yemane Gebremeskel, rejected the claim, stating that the Ethiopian regime has been conducting an unprovoked war of aggression against Eritrea for more than three years. He said Eritrea has shown restraint since Ethiopia declared a war in 2023 over sea access, and accused Addis Ababa of using the conflict to target the Eritrean port of Assab.
Eritrea also denied Ethiopia’s allegation that it is supporting the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a group that has been attempting to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed since September. Ethiopia’s army has reportedly pushed back the TPLF, seized Mekelle, and taken control of Shire and Adigrat. Witnesses reported Eritrean troops in Adigrat before Ethiopian drone strikes hit them.
The two countries have a history of conflict, including a border war from 1998 to 2000 and a civil war from 2020 to 2022 in which Eritrea fought alongside Ethiopia. Diplomatic relations collapsed last week when Ethiopia closed its embassy in Asmara and expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats, after which Eritrea announced it was severing ties. The dispute is further complicated by Ethiopia’s claim that it has a right to sea access, which Eritrea views as a threat to its Red Sea port of Assab.
Frequently asked questions
What did Ethiopia accuse Eritrea of in northern Tigray?
Ethiopia accused Eritrea of an all‑out invasion of northern Tigray, claiming Eritrean troops had advanced up to 60 kilometres into the region and demanded their withdrawal.
How did Eritrea respond to Ethiopia's accusations?
Eritrea rejected the claim, saying the Ethiopian regime has been conducting an unprovoked war of aggression against Eritrea for more than three years, denied supporting the TPLF, and accused Addis Ababa of targeting the port of Assab.