Ethiopia-Eritrea Tensions Rise as Troops Reportedly Seen in Tigray

Ethiopia-Eritrea tensions rise after witnesses reported Eritrean troops in Adigrat, while Asmara denies the claim.

Eritrean Troops Reportedly Seen in Northern Ethiopia as Risk of Wider War Grows

By News National Editorial Team

Tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea have escalated after witnesses reported seeing Eritrean soldiers moving through the northern Ethiopian town of Adigrat, days after the two countries severed diplomatic relations.

Reuters reported on October 7 that two residents said they saw trucks carrying dozens of Eritrean soldiers travelling through the town in Ethiopia's Tigray region. Reuters said it could not independently verify the witnesses' accounts.

Eritrea's Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel denied that Eritrean forces were present and accused Ethiopia of using the allegations to create a justification for military action.

Northern Ethiopia already facing renewed conflict

The reported troop movement comes amid renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia.

Fighting between Ethiopian federal forces and a rebel alliance began last month across parts of Tigray, Amhara and Afar.

Federal forces have made gains in parts of the north, while opposition forces continue to challenge government control.

Reuters reported that airstrikes and artillery fire struck parts of Tigray earlier this week, with humanitarian sources reporting civilian deaths.

The escalation has revived memories of Ethiopia's devastating 2020–2022 Tigray war.

Ethiopia accuses Eritrea

Ethiopian authorities have accused Eritrea of supporting the rebel alliance fighting federal forces.

Eritrea has repeatedly denied the accusation.

The latest dispute is particularly sensitive because Eritrean forces previously fought alongside Ethiopian federal troops during the Tigray war.

Although the two countries normalised relations in 2018, their relationship deteriorated again following disagreements over the Tigray conflict and Ethiopia's interest in obtaining reliable access to the Red Sea.

Diplomatic relations severed

The situation deteriorated sharply last week when Eritrea severed diplomatic relations with Ethiopia.

The decision followed Ethiopia's closure of its embassy in Asmara and expulsion of Eritrean diplomats.

Ethiopia accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting an opposition alliance, while those countries have denied the allegations.

The diplomatic rupture has increased concerns that the current fighting could develop into a wider regional conflict.

Red Sea access remains sensitive

Ethiopia is landlocked and has repeatedly stressed the importance of access to the Red Sea for its economy and national security.

Eritrea, which controls a long Red Sea coastline, views Ethiopian discussions about maritime access with suspicion.

The issue has become one of the central strategic tensions between the two countries.

Any military escalation involving Eritrea and Ethiopia could therefore have consequences beyond the immediate battlefield.

International concern

The United States has urged Ethiopia and Eritrea to exercise restraint.

The African Union has also called for peaceful dialogue as tensions increase.

A wider war could destabilise an already fragile region bordering Sudan, which is experiencing its own prolonged civil war.

The possibility of another major conflict in the Horn of Africa is therefore generating concern among regional governments and international organisations.

Verification remains critical

The reported presence of Eritrean troops in Adigrat is not independently confirmed.

Reuters reported witness accounts but explicitly said it could not independently verify them. Eritrea has denied the allegation.

News National therefore treats the troop sightings as a reported development under dispute, rather than as an established military deployment.

That distinction is particularly important in an active conflict, where misinformation and competing claims can spread rapidly.

What happens next

The immediate priority for regional and international actors is preventing the fighting from expanding into a direct Ethiopia-Eritrea war.

Diplomatic engagement, independent monitoring and humanitarian access will become increasingly important if fighting continues.

The coming days could determine whether the current conflict remains primarily an internal Ethiopian confrontation or develops into a broader regional crisis.

News National Verification

Confirmed: Ethiopia and Eritrea have severed diplomatic relations.

Reported: Witnesses told Reuters they saw Eritrean troops in Adigrat.

Not independently confirmed: Reuters could not independently verify the witness accounts.

Eritrea's position: The government denies its troops were present and rejects Ethiopia's accusations.

Sources: Reuters; African Union statements; U.S. State Department; humanitarian reporting; Ethiopian and Eritrean government positions.

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