Ethiopian troops reach Eritrea border town as war fears rise

Ethiopian government troops have advanced to Zalambessa, a town on the border with Eritrea previously controlled by Tigrayan rebels, according to sources cited by Reuters. The movement has heightened fears of a broader war between the Horn of Africa neighbors, as diplomatic efforts intensify to avert further escalation.

Troop Movements and Allegations

Witnesses and conflict monitors reported that Eritrean troops crossed into Zalambessa last week to support rebel forces. The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) stated that Eritrean troops crossed the border near Zelambesa on Wednesday and came under drone attack at Guada while moving toward Idaga Hamus. ACLED noted that sources identified the troops by their uniforms, vehicles, and license plates, attributing the strikes to Ethiopia’s military.

Ermiyas Ababu, a commander of the pro-government Tigray Peace Force based in Mekele, told the Associated Press that Eritrean personnel entered the towns of Adigrat and Idaga Hamus earlier in the week, adding that they were conducting surveillance. By Tuesday, Ethiopian army forces had reached Zalambessa, a town with a population of around 15,000 on the Ethiopian side of the border, according to six sources including residents, a diplomat, and a conflict expert. It remained unclear if Eritrean troops or rebels were still present in the town.

Diplomatic Tensions and UN Involvement

Eritrea has denied any incursion into Ethiopia and requested that the United Nations take deterrent measures against Ethiopia. Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh wrote to the Security Council, invoking Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which allows for measures ranging from sanctions to military action. Asmara argues that Addis Ababa's accusations of an invasion by Eritrean forces amounted to a "declaration of 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. Security Council members were scheduled to hold a closed-door meeting on the situation in the Horn of Africa, according to the Greek presidency of the Security Council.

Historical Context and Regional Concerns

Fighting broke out in Ethiopia last month as a rebel alliance led by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) went on the offensive, reigniting a war that killed hundreds of thousands between 2020 and 2022. Ethiopia and Eritrea made peace in 2018, and Eritrea fought in support of Ethiopia’s federal government during the 2020-2022 civil war in Tigray, but relations have since soured.

The issue of sea access remains a significant point of contention. Ethiopia lost access to a 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. With conflicts raging elsewhere in the region and tensions high across the Red Sea, there are concerns about the broader contagion of violence.

Why it matters

The renewed hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea threaten to destabilize the Horn of Africa, a region already facing multiple security challenges. The involvement of external actors and the potential for a wider regional conflict could have significant humanitarian and geopolitical consequences, prompting urgent diplomatic intervention at the United Nations.

---

Sources

• theguardian.com: Eritrean aggression must not be overlooked | Ethiopia | The Guardian
• globalpost.com: Eritrean Troops Reportedly Cross the Border into Ethiopia, Raising Fears of Regional War - GlobalPost
• devdiscourse.com: Ethiopian troops enter town on border with Eritrea, stoking war fears | International

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.