Eritrea Seeks UN Action Amid Ethiopia Tensions

Eritrea has urged the United Nations to take deterrent measures against what it describes as Ethiopia’s declaration of war, as renewed fighting around Tigray raises fears of a wider regional conflict.

Eritrea Appeals to United Nations

Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh made the request in a letter to the UN on Saturday, warning that the escalating confrontation could cause widespread devastation and destabilise the region. The appeal followed accusations from Ethiopia that Eritrean forces had launched an invasion and advanced up to 60 kilometres into Tigray. Eritrea has denied sending troops into Ethiopian territory, describing the allegations as an attempt by Addis Ababa to justify what it calls a war of aggression.

Fighting Raises Fears of Wider Conflict

The latest tensions have heightened concerns about renewed warfare along the two countries’ shared northern border. Residents of Adigrat reported that Ethiopian government forces and allied militias had entered the city near Eritrea, days after reports that Eritrean troops had withdrawn or been pushed back from positions near the strategic town. The area has previously been controlled by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of supporting.

Tigray Residents Face Humanitarian Crisis

People in Adigrat have appealed to Ethiopian authorities for assistance, describing worsening shortages of food and medical care. Resident Hagos Woldegebriel said children and older people were going hungry, while sick residents were dying because they could not access treatment. Teame Lemlem, who was displaced from Zalambessa during an earlier conflict, said banks had closed and food supplies were running low. He expressed hope that peace would return to the region.

Conflicting Claims Over Military Escalation

The latest confrontation follows attacks by Tigrayan rebels against federal forces in northern Ethiopia last month. The report says Eritrean troops subsequently entered Ethiopian territory, while Ethiopian forces pushed back the TPLF and seized its capital, Mekelle. Eritrea, however, denies the reported incursion. Both governments have accused each other of provoking the conflict, with Ethiopia alleging that Eritrea is supporting the rebels.

Long History of Hostile Relations

Eritrea became independent from Ethiopia in 1993, and the neighbours fought a deadly border war between 1998 and 2000. Relations improved after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office in 2018, but tensions have since resurfaced. Ethiopia’s repeated calls for direct access to the sea have further strained relations, with Eritrea viewing the demands as a potential threat to its port at Assab. The two countries were also on opposing sides during the devastating 2020–2022 Tigray war, when Eritrean forces supported Ethiopia’s federal government against the TPLF.