The leaders of Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region announced on Wednesday that they have entered a new war with the federal government, shattering a four-year-old peace accord that ended a devastating conflict responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths, according to Reuters reports.
Tigray Forces Launch Defensive War and Seize Airports
The outbreak of renewed hostilities follows months of escalating tensions between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration. According to a statement issued by the TPLF-led regional administration, Tigray forces received instructions to counter what they termed an intensification of an invasion by Abiy’s government, formally declaring they have entered a defensive war.
Getachew Reda, an adviser to Prime Minister Abiy and a former TPLF official, stated on X that Tigray forces seized control of federally controlled airports within the region. Reda also reported that the TPLF launched an all-out offensive against government positions in the neighboring Afar and Amhara regions. In response to the security escalation, Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to Tigray.
New Military Alliances Fuel Regional Conflict
Four independent sources—including a senior Ethiopian government official, a diplomatic source, a humanitarian source, and an individual linked to the TPLF and an allied militia—confirmed the spreading military developments across Tigray, Afar, and Amhara. According to these sources, Tigrayan forces are coordinating with local armed groups in Afar and fighting alongside the Fano militia in Amhara.
Fano previously fought alongside federal forces during the 2020-2022 civil war before turning against the government in 2023. This military cooperation stems from an alliance formed on Sunday, when the TPLF and six other armed groups across Ethiopia united with the stated goal of overthrowing Prime Minister Abiy’s administration. Spokespeople for Abiy, the federal government, and the TPLF did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the latest clashes.
Pretoria Agreement Collapses Amid Eritrea Allegations
The renewed fighting effectively dissolves the Pretoria Agreement, signed in November 2022 to halt the catastrophic civil war. Federal authorities have accused the TPLF of violating the peace accord and deliberately fostering chaos. Billene Seyoum, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Abiy, stated on Monday that members of the newly formed opposition alliance had collaborated over time with financial backing from Eritrea, Ethiopia’s historic neighbor and adversary.
Did you know? The 2020–2022 civil war between the TPLF and federal forces resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties before the signing of the Pretoria Agreement.
Eritrea has consistently denied accusations that it supports Ethiopian armed groups. The Eritrean information minister declined to comment on Wednesday regarding the latest outbreak of hostilities and regional alignments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the new war in Ethiopia?
The latest conflict erupted following months of mounting animosity between the Tigrayan leadership and federal authorities, culminating in a Sunday announcement that the TPLF formed an alliance with six armed groups aimed at overthrowing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government.
Which regions are currently affected by the fighting?
According to Reuters sources, active fighting is occurring within the Tigray region and its neighboring territories of Afar and Amhara, prompting Ethiopian Airlines to suspend flights to Tigray.
What was the Pretoria Agreement?
The Pretoria Agreement was a peace accord signed in November 2022 that successfully ended the brutal 2020–2022 civil war between the TPLF and federal forces, a pact now shattered by the resumption of hostilities.
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