As tensions escalate in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, recent drone strikes have reignited fears of conflict amidst lingering disputes between the federal government and regional forces. This latest incident not only raises concerns about the fragile peace established following a prolonged war but also underscores the urgent need for dialogue and resolution among stakeholders to prevent further humanitarian crises.
One person has been killed and another injured in drone strikes in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, according to a senior Tigrayan official and a humanitarian worker. This incident marks another significant sign of renewed conflict between regional and federal forces. On Saturday, the Tigrayan official reported that the drone strikes targeted two Isuzu trucks near Enticho and Gendebta, two locations situated approximately 20 kilometers (or 12 miles) apart.
While the official attributed the strikes to the Ethiopian National Defence Force, no substantiating evidence has been provided to confirm this claim. A local humanitarian worker also corroborated that the strikes occurred, with both sources opting to remain anonymous, as reported by ZezapTV. The specific contents of the trucks involved in the strikes remain unclear, though TPLF-affiliated news outlet Dimtsi Weyane shared images on social media purportedly depicting the trucks damaged in the attacks. According to the outlet, the trucks were transporting food and cooking supplies, while pro-government activists suggested they were carrying weapons.
The Ethiopian national army faced off against fighters from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) for two years, culminating in late 2022. Researchers estimate that the conflict led to hundreds of thousands of deaths resulting from direct violence, deteriorating healthcare conditions, and famine. Recently, clashes broke out between regional and national forces in Tsemlet, a disputed area claimed by forces from the neighboring Amhara region, exacerbating existing tensions.
Tensions have been particularly acute concerning the presence of troops from Amhara and Eritrea in Tigray, which is seen as a violation of the peace agreement brokered in November 2022 that ended the war. Last year, the head of Tigray’s interim administration fled Mekele, the regional capital, reflecting deepening divisions within the TPLF—formerly the dominant political force in Ethiopia before Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s rise to power.
The Ethiopian government has accused the TPLF of strengthening ties with Eritrea and allegedly preparing for military action against Ethiopia. In the wake of the recent tensions, Ethiopian Airlines canceled flights to Tigray, prompting residents to rush to banks to withdraw cash amid fears of worsening instability.
Although the Tigray conflict officially ended in 2022, disputes over various issues, including the contested territories in western Tigray and delays in disarming Tigray forces, persist. Humanitarian agencies report that up to 80 percent of the population now requires emergency support, with funding shortfalls in humanitarian assistance severely impacting health services. The African Union’s chair, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, called for maximum restraint from all parties involved, urging a constructive dialogue to resolve outstanding issues and safeguard the achievements made under the AU-led Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed in Pretoria in 2022.
#WorldNews #MiddleEastNews