Brief
Ethiopia and Eritrea trade accusations of invasion and aggression
Both governments sent letters to the UN and to France, blaming the other for an all‑out invasion and a war of aggression.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Ethiopia’s foreign minister Gedion Timothewos told the United Nations Security Council on Friday that Eritrean forces had launched an "all‑out invasion" of northern Ethiopia, advancing up to 60 kilometres into the Tigray region. In a letter addressed to French foreign minister Jean‑Noël Barrot, Timothewos called the action a blatant act of aggression that triggers Ethiopia’s right to self‑defence.
Eritrea’s minister of information, Yemane Gebremeskel, rejected the claim on X, describing Ethiopia’s conduct as an "unprovoked war of aggression" that has lasted more than three years. He said Addis Ababa is using the conflict to seize the Eritrean port of Assab and restore sea access, and denied any Ethiopian backing of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
The dispute follows weeks of fighting in Tigray, where Ethiopian forces have recaptured Mekelle and reportedly pushed rebels out of Shire and Adigrat. Witnesses told AFP that Eritrean troops were seen in Adigrat before Ethiopian drone strikes hit them. The two countries cut diplomatic ties days before these accusations were exchanged.
Key facts
- Ethiopia accused Eritrea of an all‑out invasion of northern Tigray, claiming troops advanced up to 60 km inside Ethiopian territory. (aljazeera.com)
- Eritrea’s information minister denied the allegation and said Ethiopia was pursuing an unprovoked war of aggression. (aljazeera.com)
- Ethiopian forces have recently retaken Mekelle and pushed rebels out of Shire and Adigrat. (aljazeera.com)
- Witnesses reported Eritrean troops in Adigrat before Ethiopian drone strikes targeted them. (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “Ethiopia and Eritrea accuse one another of launching war”
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