Eritrean troops have been spotted in the northern Ethiopian city of Adigrat, according to local officials and residents. The troops appear to be heading south. The Eritrean soldiers had been in Adigrat for days and were heading south. The reports come after two weeks of fighting between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and Ethiopian federal forces.
The clashes began on 23 September, reigniting fears of a return to the devastating 2020-2022 civil war. Ethiopia has blamed Eritrea for backing the TPLF. Tensions between the two countries flared last week as they cut diplomatic ties. Ethiopian federal forces have pushed back the Tigrayan rebels, supported by local militias.
The army entered the regional capital, Mekelle, at the weekend without a fight, as the TPLF had left the city. Several sources said Eritrean troops were in the northern Tigrayan city of Adigrat, about 115 kilometres north of Mekelle, and heading south.
Tigray Peace Force commander Gebreigziabher Beyene, whose militia has fought alongside federal forces, said Eritrean troops had entered Tigray in uniform with heavy weapons. He also alleged that the force was being targeted by drones. Beyene said Eritrea was deploying troops inside Tigray to prevent fighting from spreading into Eritrean territory.
Two eyewitnesses in Adigrat said they had seen Eritrean soldiers on the roads heading south. A local official, speaking anonymously, said the presence of Eritrean troops had raised concerns among residents. One eyewitness said Eritrean soldiers were travelling in large trucks and patrol vehicles and carrying heavy weapons.
Further insecurity was reported west of Mekelle. An Adwa resident mentioned drone strikes had targeted hotels in the town over the weekend, killing several civilians and injuring four others. Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 and fought a border war with Ethiopia from 1998 to 2000.
Relations between the countries improved following the rise to power of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2018 and Eritrea subsequently fought alongside Ethiopia during the Tigray civil war against the TPLF.
Relations soured again after the conflict. Earlier this month, Ethiopia expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats and closed its embassy in Asmara. Eritrea said it would sever diplomatic ties. The latest tensions have raised fears that TPLF forces could retreat into Eritrea, providing a pretext for an Ethiopian military intervention.
Regional expert Kjetil Tronvoll said Eritrea wanted to maintain a buffer zone in northern Tigray and confront Ethiopian forces inside Tigray.
