Ethiopia has formally demanded the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean forces from its territory, escalating diplomatic tensions between the two historically adversarial nations. In a strongly-worded diplomatic letter, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos accused Eritrea of conducting joint military exercises with Ethiopian rebel factions along the northwestern border while supplying them with weapons—actions described as “outright aggression.
The allegations emerge against a complex backdrop of shifting alliances. Despite previously collaborating during Ethiopia’s recent civil war, where Eritrean forces supported Ethiopian troops against Tigrayan rebels, relations have deteriorated significantly. Minister Timothewos stated that “developments over the last few days indicate that the Government of Eritrea has chosen the path of further escalation,” citing troop movements into northeastern Ethiopian territory.
Eritrea has not responded to the latest accusations but has consistently denied previous claims of border incursions. The current tensions are further complicated by Ethiopia’s renewed emphasis on sea access, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed characterizing it as an existential priority. The foreign minister’s letter suggested that Eritrean withdrawal could facilitate negotiations regarding “access to the sea through the port of Assab.
Adding to diplomatic strains, Prime Minister Abiy recently alleged for the first time that Eritrean troops committed massacres in the historic city of Aksum during the 2020-2022 Tigray conflict—claims Eritrea had previously denied. Meanwhile, Ethiopia now asserts that Eritrea supports Tigrayan rebels opposing the peace agreement that ended the civil war, with Ethiopian police reportedly intercepting thousands of rounds of Eritrean-supplied ammunition destined for rebels last month.
Eritrea has countered such allegations by accusing Ethiopia of “floating false flags to justify the war that it has been itching to unleash for two long years.” The situation remains volatile, with observers concerned about potential renewed conflict between the nations that fought a devastating border war from 1998-2000 that claimed over 100,000 lives.