Ethiopia’s government has publicly acknowledged for the first time the involvement of Eritrean troops in the Tigray conflict, which concluded in 2022. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addressed parliament on Tuesday, alleging that Eritrean forces committed mass killings during the war, which is estimated to have resulted in over 400,000 deaths. His remarks came amid reports of renewed fighting in the Tigray region.
The conflict began in November 2020 and saw Ethiopian and Eritrean troops battling regional forces in Tigray. The war officially ended with a peace agreement in November 2022. In his statements, Ahmed accused Eritrean forces of atrocities, stating, “The Eritrean army followed us into Shire and began demolishing houses, massacred our youth in Axum, looted factories in Adwa, and uprooted our factories.” He emphasized that the hostilities were not merely about access to the Red Sea, but were rooted in the earlier phases of the conflict.
Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel responded to the allegations, describing Ahmed’s comments as “cheap and despicable lies” that did not warrant a response. He suggested that Ahmed has shifted his position recently, claiming that the prime minister previously praised the Eritrean military. “When he later developed the delusional malaise of ‘sovereignty access to the sea’ and an agenda of war against Eritrea, he began to sing to a different chorus,” Gebremeskel stated.
Ethiopia lost its access to the Red Sea following Eritrea’s secession in 1993, which followed decades of conflict. The tensions between the two nations have escalated again, with both governments accusing each other of inciting potential civil war. Ethiopia claims that Eritrea is arming and funding rebel groups, while Eritrea argues that Ethiopia’s ambitions include regaining control over its former coastal access.
Analysts are observing a possible alliance forming between Eritrea and regional forces in Tigray, as recent reports indicate renewed clashes in the area. The Ethiopian government has recently canceled flights by its national carrier to Tigray, a decision linked to the worsening security situation.
Eritrea and Ethiopia initially made strides towards peace after Ahmed assumed office in 2018, an effort that earned him the Nobel Peace Prize. Despite this, recent accusations from Eritrea suggest that Ethiopia has a “long-brewing war agenda” aimed at seizing Eritrean ports, further complicating the already fragile relationship between the two nations.
As the situation evolves, the humanitarian implications for civilians in the Tigray region remain severe. The international community is closely monitoring these developments, as renewed violence could exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crisis stemming from the previous conflict.
