Tensions Rise as Tigray Rebels Warn of Imminent Conflict. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — Rebels in Ethiopia’s Tigray region have warned that the federal government is preparing to wage war once more against the northern regional state.
According to local reports, there have been reports that the Ethiopian National Defence Force has massed troops and equipment at multiple locations along the regional border.
The Tigray region emerged from a two — year civil war in 2022 that resulted in at least 600,000 deaths, as federal forces, backed by militias and the Eritrean army, clashed with rebels from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
A ceasefire has been in place for over two years, but sporadic clashes between federal and Tigrayan forces have occurred since November last year.
The TPLF, which dominated Ethiopian politics for about 30 years, was replaced by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, a non-Tigrayan, in 2018.
Federal authorities have accused the group of growing closer to neighboring Eritrea, which maintains fragile relations with Addis Ababa.
The two countries have been at odds recently over Ethiopia’s desire for Red Sea access, with Asmara fearing Addis Ababa might attempt to achieve this by invasion. Further details are expected as the situation remains developing.
