Eritrean Forces Deploy in Northern Tigray Region of Northern Ethiopia

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The French news agency reported, citing a local Ethiopian official and residents from Tigray, that Eritrean forces are spreading in the northern region.

This comes amid fears of Ethiopia entering a regional conflict after federal forces took control of Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region.

There are concerns about the escalation of the conflict, especially with Addis Ababa accusing neighboring countries, led by Eritrea, of supporting the rebels.

Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of supporting Tigray fighters. For its part, Eritrea fears that Ethiopia may invade its territory to access water and control the port of Assab on the Red Sea.

Fighting renewed between the "Tigray People's Liberation Front" and federal forces on September 23, raising fears of a return to the devastating civil war that the country experienced between 2020 and 2022, and of the expansion of the conflict.

The recent clashes in northern Ethiopia began following attacks launched by the "Tigray People's Liberation Front" on the Afar and Amhara regions. The front had ousted the administration appointed by the federal government in the northern region in April.

Despite federal forces taking control of Mekelle late last week after Tigray People's Liberation Front fighters withdrew from it without a fight, hostilities continue.

Federal forces entered Mekelle on Saturday without a fight, following the withdrawal of the rebel authorities and their fighters. The army was supported by the "Tigray Peace Force," a local militia formed by defectors from the Tigray Liberation Front who have now aligned with the authority of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.