Ethiopia-Tigray Fighting Intensifies as Airstrikes Kill 17

Airstrikes and heavy artillery fire hit Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region overnight into Monday, raising fears that renewed fighting between federal forces and Tigrayan rebels could escalate into a broader regional conflict.

At least 17 people were killed in air attacks northwest of Tigray’s capital, Mekelle, according to a bulletin circulated among humanitarian organizations. Federal forces took control of Mekelle over the weekend after Tigrayan fighters withdrew without resistance.

The humanitarian report said government troops also exchanged artillery fire with fighters loyal to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which belongs to a rebel alliance seeking to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government. Reuters could not independently verify the reports, while Ethiopian government, military and TPLF representatives did not immediately comment.

Airstrikes reportedly killed nine people in Adwa, about 100 kilometers northwest of Mekelle, and another eight in Sheraro. The bulletin did not identify who carried out the attacks. Heavy artillery exchanges were also reported near the Tekeze River close to Mai Tsebri.

The latest violence, which began September 23, represents the worst escalation since Ethiopia’s 2020-2022 Tigray war, a conflict that resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths.

Regional tensions are also mounting. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting armed opposition groups, allegations all three countries deny. Ethiopia and Eritrea severed diplomatic relations last week.

Leaders from Egypt, Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia met Sunday to discuss the crisis and agreed to coordinate military and intelligence efforts if fighting spreads toward Ethiopia’s borders, according to officials familiar with the discussions.

The United States has urged Ethiopia and Eritrea to exercise restraint, warning that renewed conflict could undermine Washington’s cooperation with both countries.

Meanwhile, Abiy reiterated Ethiopia’s desire for access to the sea during a parliamentary speech Monday. Eritrea fears Ethiopia could attempt to seize its Assab port, although Abiy maintains that Addis Ababa intends to pursue maritime access through peaceful means.