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Ethiopian federal forces have entered Zalambessa, a town near the Eritrean border, after rebel fighters withdrew. The advance has intensified diplomatic efforts to prevent a broader conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Ethiopian federal forces and their allies have entered Zalambessa, a key town in northern Tigray near the Eritrean border, following the withdrawal of rebel fighters. The advance has heightened fears among residents and prompted diplomats to scramble to avert a wider war between the two Horn of Africa neighbors.
According to six sources, including people in touch with residents, a diplomat, and a conflict expert, the Ethiopian army reached Zalambessa by Tuesday. The town has a population of around 15,000 on the Ethiopian side of the border. Witnesses and a conflict monitor reported that Eritrean troops had crossed into Zalambessa last week in support of the rebels, though it remained unclear on Tuesday whether Eritrean troops or rebels were still present.
The fighting began last month when a rebel alliance led by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) went on the offensive, reigniting a conflict that killed hundreds of thousands between 2020 and 2022. The Ethiopian government's counter-offensive has since driven rebels from a string of towns, forcing them to retreat north. A spokesperson for a pro-government militia did not confirm the military's control of the town, and spokespeople for Ethiopia's military and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have soured again despite making peace in 2018 and Eritrea fighting alongside Ethiopia's federal government during the 2020-2022 civil war. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of backing the rebels and wrote to Security Council members, stating that Eritrean troops had advanced up to 60 km (37 miles) inside Ethiopia.
Eritrea's Foreign Minister Osman Saleh has asked the Security Council to take action against Addis Ababa in a letter seen by Reuters, invoking Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which allows for measures ranging from sanctions to military action. Asmara has denied any incursion into Ethiopia and argued that Addis Ababa's accusations amounted to a "declaration of war." Security Council members were due to hold a closed-door meeting on the situation in the Horn of Africa on Tuesday, according to the Greek presidency of the Security Council.
The conflict raises fears of broader contagion of violence in the region, with tensions high across the Red Sea. The issue of sea access remains a significant point of contention; Ethiopia lost its coastline when Eritrea gained independence in 1993. Ethiopia argues that restoring sea access is an existential issue but has stated it would be restored through peace and dialogue. The renewed hostilities between the two nations, coupled with conflicts elsewhere in the region, threaten to destabilize the Horn of Africa further.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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