Eritrea and Ethiopia have escalated border tensions after reports of an Eritrean incursion into northern Ethiopia. Ethiopian government forces and their militia allies reportedly entered the border city of Adigrat on Saturday, according to three local residents. The move comes days after Eritrean troops were said to have been pushed back from the strategic city.
Ethiopia expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats and closed its embassy in Addis Ababa earlier this year, worsening bilateral relations. Eritrea has denied the incursion claims, and Reuters could not independently verify the reports. Ethiopian forces reportedly used drones to strike Eritrean military vehicles inside the country, raising fears of a direct military confrontation.
The two nations have a history of border clashes, with previous conflicts in the region. The current situation has heightened concerns over a potential return to full-scale war. Ethiopia’s military has been actively reinforcing its northern border, while Eritrea has maintained a defensive posture. The situation remains volatile, with both sides accusing each other of escalating hostilities.
The border dispute has deep roots, dating back to the 1990s. Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a brief war over the border region, which ended in a 2002 peace agreement. Despite the agreement, tensions have periodically resurfaced, particularly in the Tigray region. The current conflict highlights the fragility of regional stability and the ongoing challenges of border security in the Horn of Africa.
