Mekelle:Ethiopia is currently experiencing a severe security crisis as fighting has resumed in the northern Tigray region, raising concerns about the potential for a new civil war and broader regional conflict.
According to Anadolu Agency, the hostilities, which intensified on September 23, represent the most significant escalation since the Tigray war from 2020 to 2022, a conflict that resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths before a peace agreement was reached in South Africa. The recent clashes have expanded beyond Tigray, and tensions between Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea have significantly worsened.
The International Crisis Group has issued a warning, highlighting the risk of northern Ethiopia descending back into war. They have called on African leaders and international powers, including the United States, to encourage both sides to de-escalate, exercise restraint, and resume negotiations. Murithi Mutiga, Africa director at the International Crisis Group, emphasized the severe consequences a new war would have on the civilians of northern Ethiopia.
The European Union also issued a statement urging immediate de-escalation, asking involved parties to avoid actions or rhetoric that could further heighten tensions.
The fighting reignited following unresolved issues from the 2022 Pretoria agreement, which ended the large-scale conflict between Ethiopia's federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The latest escalation began when Tigrayan forces took control of airports in Mekelle, Axum, and Shire, according to the African Union. This move was seen as inconsistent with the Pretoria agreement and prompted calls for a return to direct talks.
Despite regaining control of Mekelle, federal forces continue to face resistance. Airstrikes and artillery attacks were reported in northern Tigray on October 5.
The conflict involves federal troops and allied groups, such as the government-backed Tigray Peace Forces, fighting against the TPLF and other opposition movements. The TPLF, once dominant in Ethiopia's ruling coalition, is now part of a seven-group alliance seeking to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and establish a transitional administration.
The humanitarian situation remains dire, with the UN warning that renewed fighting threatens civilians still recovering from the previous war. Humanitarian efforts have been disrupted by road closures and communication outages, while Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to several Tigray airports. UN human rights chief Volker Turk expressed alarm over the escalation and its impact on civilians, condemning forced recruitment practices by the TPLF and the associated human rights abuses.