Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of an “all-out invasion” of its northern Tigray area and warned it will defend itself, days after residents advised the BBC Eritrean troops had crossed into the nation.
In a letter to the UN Security Council, Ethiopia’s overseas minister called it a “blatant act of aggression that engages Ethiopia’s inherent right to self-defence”, following reported strikes on Eritrean troops in Tigray.
Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel responded by saying it was going through “an unprovoked war of aggression” from its neighbour.
Fighting broke out between the authorities and the celebration that controls Tigray, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), two weeks in the past.
Both blame each other for violating a 2022 deal that ended its civil battle. Ethiopia says Eritrea backs the TPLF, which it denies.
During the two-year civil battle, Eritrea was a key ally of the Ethiopian authorities, having fought alongside them against the TPLF.
But relations between the two neighbours have since deteriorated – largely over the Ethiopian prime minister’s ambition to take possession of one of Eritrea’s Red Sea ports – main to the severing of diplomatic ties last week.
Accusing Eritrea of violating its sovereignty, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos said Eritrean forces had superior up to 60km (37 miles) into Tigray.
Ethiopian drone strikes reportedly focused Eritrean forces in the Tigrayan city of Adigrat on Wednesday and Thursday, amid fears of a wider regional battle.
US-based battle monitor Acled said “Eritrean troops and ammunition” in Adigrat were hit by “multiple drone strikes” in a single day.
One resident advised AFP information company “there were many, many drone strikes”, and that some Eritrean lorries had been destroyed.
Another witness said Eritrean forces appeared to be retreating north after the strikes, AFP reported.
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