Ethiopia has claimed that its neighbour Eritrea is actively preparing alongside a hard-line faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) to wage war. The foreign affairs ministry says the two are working in coordination under a new alliance called “Tsimdo.” According to Ethiopian authorities, this alliance includes funding, mobilising armed groups such as the Fano militia, and directing recent attacks in border regions.
The government alleges that TPLF fighters and Eritrean support played a part in an offensive aimed at capturing Woldiya in the Amhara Region. Additional clashes reportedly occurred in Raya and Welkait. These developments are said to violate Ethiopia’s peace agreement from 2022, which was meant to permanently cease hostilities following earlier civil war conflicts.
Ethiopia insists its own defence forces are holding a defensive posture and acting with restraint, but warns that this restraint will not be indefinite. The government has appealed to the international community to intervene, demanding that Eritrea halt support for armed groups and respect Ethiopia’s territorial integrity.
The accusation reflects growing tensions in the Horn of Africa over issues such as border control, regional power, and Ethiopia’s long-pursued goal of gaining access to the sea. While Eritrea denies preparing for war and rejects claims of collusion, the situation is seen by many observers as a dangerous escalation that could threaten peace in an already volatile region.