Ethiopia Accuses Neighbors of Backing Tigray Rebels Amid Renewed Fighting

Ethiopia’s army chief has accused neighboring Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt of supporting rebel troops engaged in renewed fighting in the country's north, raising concerns about a potential widening regional conflict. Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, chief of general staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Force, stated on Friday that Eritrea was providing financial support to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

The TPLF and Ethiopian federal troops concluded a devastating war in November 2022, following a peace agreement signed in South Africa. Despite the truce, tensions persist, with the TPLF reportedly seeking to regain political influence in Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region. Over the weekend, TPLF fighters captured the strategic town of Erebti in the northern Afar region, according to a commander who spoke on condition of anonymity. An official from the Tigray Peace Force, a splinter faction allied with federal forces, confirmed the rebel takeover of Erebti, though they stated heavy fighting did not occur.

International medical organizations have reported an increase in casualties. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) noted a significant surge in wounded individuals receiving treatment in northern hospitals. The number of patients at Korem and Alamata hospitals rose from approximately 180 to over 420 in a 48-hour period, while northeastern Suhul Hospital reported treating 300 wounded in the preceding week.

Ethiopian federal authorities have also accused the TPLF of attempting to form an alliance with Eritrea to destabilize Ethiopia. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s efforts to secure sovereign access to the Eritrean port of Assab have previously heightened tensions with Eritrea, which shares a border with Tigray. These maritime ambitions have also strained relations with Somalia, as Ethiopia seeks sea access through the territory of Somaliland.

Eritrea has denied Ethiopia's claims, with its Information Minister Yemane Meskel suggesting on social media platform X that Ethiopia’s own pursuit of sea access has unsettled Eritrea and Somalia. He also indicated that Ethiopia’s hosting of militia training in support of Sudan's military has created friction with its neighbors.

Sudan's armed forces spokesperson issued a statement rejecting Ethiopia's accusations, asserting instead that Ethiopia is providing support to militias fighting the Sudanese military. This appears to be a reference to the Rapid Support Forces, which have been in conflict with Sudan's army since 2023.

During the 2020-2022 Tigray conflict, Eritrean troops fought alongside Ethiopian federal forces against the TPLF. The war resulted in an estimated 500,000 civilian deaths due to violence, famine, and the collapse of health services, according to research by Ghent University.