Eritrean Forces Push Deep into Tigray, Heightening Regional Tension

A convoy of Eritrean soldiers has moved from the border town of Zalambessa into Ethiopia’s north‑Tigray region, with residents of Adigrat reporting large numbers of armed trucks and heavy weaponry on the road to Mekelle. The move follows a two‑year cease‑fire that collapsed in September, as Ethiopia’s new leadership seeks to assert control over the Tigray People’s Liberation Front’s (TPLF) stronghold.

Local accounts describe up to sixty trucks carrying uniformed personnel heading toward Edaga Hamus, a key junction between Adigrat and Mekelle. Some witnesses noted that the troops were equipped with anti‑aircraft guns and were moving both by vehicle and on foot. The presence of Eritrean registration plates on the vehicles spurred anxiety among residents, who had experienced the turmoil of the 2020‑2022 civil war.

While Ethiopian officials in Addis Ababa deny the reports, they have accused Eritrea of direct participation in the recent fighting. Former general Abraham Belay warned that Eritrean soldiers “will see what it means to enter the border of another country and fight alongside bandits.” In contrast, Eritrea’s government has consistently denied allegations of involvement in Tigray.

The return of Eritrean forces evokes memories of the brutal 2020‑2022 conflict, when Eritrean troops were alleged to have committed atrocities against Tigrayan civilians. Residents speaking to the BBC said that the sight of familiar soldiers was emotionally distressing, with many recalling the violence that gripped the region a few years earlier.

Security analysts warn that the renewed presence of Eritrean troops could ignite a broader regional conflict. With Ethiopia’s government recently severing diplomatic ties with Eritrea over disputes about a Red Sea port, the latest troop movements raise fears that hostilities could spill beyond the Tigrayan border.