Eritrean Forces Reportedly Retreat After Heavy Losses

Eritrean troops have suffered “heavy losses” and retreated towards their border with Ethiopia, according to a pro-government militia spokesperson, as fighting in Tigray raises fears of a wider regional conflict.

Eritrean troops reportedly withdraw

Solomon Hailemariam, spokesperson for the Tigray Peace Force, told AFP on Tuesday that Eritrean forces had crossed into Ethiopia to support rebel fighters but were now retreating after suffering heavy losses.

A foreign security source estimated that between 5,000 and 8,000 Eritrean troops had been deployed inside Ethiopia. AFP said it could not independently verify the claims.

Eritrea’s Information Minister, Yemane Gebremeskel, dismissed the militia’s account as untrustworthy and rejected reports that Ethiopian troops had crossed into Eritrea.

Ethiopian forces advance in Tigray

Ethiopian federal forces and allied fighters were reportedly closing in on a town near the Eritrean border on Wednesday, according to a militia commander and a local resident.

The advance follows a government counter-offensive that has pushed back the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, or TPLF. Pro-government forces say the rebels have lost key strongholds, including the regional capital, Mekelle.

Hailemariam claimed the TPLF could no longer mount an effective defence because its weapons had been seized or destroyed. He said government-aligned forces were gathering in areas near Eritrea.

Regional war fears intensify

The International Crisis Group warned on Monday that Ethiopia and Eritrea were dangerously close to a wider war as clashes moved towards their shared border. The organisation urged the international community to press both countries to prevent further escalation.

Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of supporting the TPLF, which launched a major offensive against government forces on September 23 before being pushed back. Eritrea has rejected accusations and denied reports of Ethiopian troops entering its territory.

Long-running tensions return

The TPLF previously controlled much of Ethiopia before Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018. It remained dominant in Tigray and fought a devastating war against federal forces between 2020 and 2022, a conflict that left deep divisions unresolved.

Eritrea became independent from Ethiopia in 1993, and the two countries fought a border war from 1998 to 2000. Relations briefly improved after Abiy took office but have deteriorated again over the Tigray conflict.

Eritrea has accused Ethiopia of using the fighting as a pretext to invade its territory and seize Assab port on the Red Sea. The two countries reportedly severed relations this month, adding to concerns that the latest clashes could trigger a broader confrontation.