Eritrean Troops Enter Northern Ethiopia Amid Heightened Tensions

Reports are emerging of Eritrean troops entering northern Ethiopia, a development that has heightened tensions between the two neighboring countries.

According to witnesses who spoke to Reuters, dozens of Eritrean soldiers were seen driving through Adigrat, a town located 25km south of the border with Eritrea, on Wednesday. The witnesses identified the soldiers by their distinctive off-white camouflage uniforms.

The presence of Eritrean troops in Adigrat has sparked concerns that they may be involved in fighting in the region, which is already plagued by conflict. Witnesses described seeing heavy weaponry among the Eritrean forces.

Residents who were not present in Adigrat at the time have also reported seeing Eritrean troops, although these accounts could not be independently verified by Reuters.

The situation on the ground in northern Ethiopia remains fluid and volatile, as reports emerge of Eritrean troops being spotted inside the country.

The chief administrator in the northeastern Afar region had previously stated that Eritrean forces were engaged in fighting in the area, but this claim has not been independently verified by observers. This development comes amidst a backdrop of renewed conflict between Ethiopian forces and a seven-group armed alliance, including the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which began on September 23.

The presence of Eritrean troops inside Ethiopia would mark a significant escalation in the conflict, with implications for regional stability and security. The TPLF has been accused by Ethiopia's government of receiving support from neighboring countries, including Eritrea, Egypt, and Sudan, but these nations have all denied involvement in the fighting.

The diplomatic situation between Ethiopia and Eritrea continues to deteriorate, following Addis Ababa's decision to close its embassy in Asmara and expel 10 Eritrean diplomats. In response, Eritrea announced it was severing ties with Ethiopia, stating that the Ethiopian government had left it with "no option but to reciprocate in kind".

Ethiopian forces have tightened their grip on Tigray's regional capital Mekelle, capturing the city just days after the TPLF announced it had withdrawn from the area and relocated its administration elsewhere.

This development comes as Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed begins his new five-year term, during which he has emphasized the need for his landlocked country to access the Red Sea. In a move that appears to be pushing back against Ethiopian policies, Eritrea joined several neighboring countries in issuing a joint declaration calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ethiopia.