Ethiopia and Tigray Trade Blame Over New Military Moves

Ethiopia's federal government and authorities in the northern region of Tigray have accused each other of launching fresh military offensives, fuelling fears that a new war could break out between the two sides.

The accusations come against the backdrop of a previous devastating civil war between Ethiopian federal forces and Tigrayan authorities, which ended with a peace agreement. Since then, relations have remained fragile, and reports of renewed tension have periodically surfaced.

According to current reports, both sides claim the other initiated the latest attacks, though it remains unclear which party acted first or what specifically triggered the escalation.

Adding to the concern, there have been reports of recent drone strikes in the region. Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, have increasingly been used in modern conflicts for both surveillance and direct attacks, and their use here suggests a serious escalation in hostilities.

Following these reported strikes, local authorities reportedly seized control of airports across Tigray, a move that could significantly affect movement and supplies in and out of the region.

The earlier conflict between Ethiopia and Tigray caused immense suffering, with widespread reports of civilian casualties, displacement and humanitarian crises. Any resumption of large-scale fighting would likely raise similar concerns among international observers and aid organisations.

For now, the situation remains fluid, and it is not yet clear whether these mutual accusations will lead to a full-scale return to armed conflict or whether diplomatic efforts might still prevent further escalation.

Regional and international actors are expected to monitor developments closely, given the potential for instability to spread beyond Ethiopia's borders and affect the wider Horn of Africa region.