Ethiopia and Eritrea Trade War Accusations as Tigray Fighting Escalates

Ethiopia and Eritrea traded accusations of aggression on Friday as fighting in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region and reports of Eritrean troop movements heightened concern about a wider conflict. Ethiopia said Eritrea was supporting rebels, while Eritrea accused Ethiopia of initiating an unprovoked war. Responsibility for the confrontation remains disputed. Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos said Eritrea’s actions amounted to aggression and asserted Ethiopia’s right to defend itself. Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel said Ethiopia was waging a war of aggression. The statements came days after the neighboring countries severed diplomatic ties over Ethiopia’s allegations that Eritrea was backing the rebels, which Eritrea has denied. The conflict monitor ACLED said Eritrean forces crossed into Tigray on Wednesday, October 7, and were targeted by Ethiopian drone strikes as they withdrew from positions. It reported that strikes on Wednesday and Thursday targeted Eritrean military vehicles near Adigrat. Witnesses said Eritrean troops had been transported through the town, and a resident reported hearing three explosions north of it overnight.