Stories
New Fighting Erupts in Ethiopia's Tigray, Threatening Regional Stability
- •Fresh fighting has broken out in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, with Tigrayan forces launching attacks on government positions and declaring a "defensive" war.
- •The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) accused the federal government of escalating actions and responded to what it called an 'intensification of attacks.'
- •The conflict raises fears of undoing a peace agreement signed nearly four years ago and could spread across the Horn of Africa.
- •TPLF claims to have taken control of airports in Tigray and launched offensives in neighboring Afar and Amhara regions.
- •The escalation comes amid worsening relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and recent drone strikes have added to tensions in Tigray.
Key Questions Answered
Fresh fighting erupted after Tigrayan forces launched a major offensive on government positions, declaring a defensive war against Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's administration and taking control of federal airports. The escalation threatens to undo the peace agreement signed nearly four years ago.
Shortly before the latest fighting, the TPLF announced an alliance with six other armed groups from across Ethiopia aimed at challenging and ultimately overthrowing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government.
Ethiopian Airlines suspended all flights to Tigray, including Mekelle, Axum, and Shire, due to the deteriorating security situation. Additionally, tensions were heightened after a drone strike destroyed a Catholic Relief Services truck carrying food supplies for displaced people.
