Eritrea and Ethiopia Exchange War Accusations Amid Border Tensions

Eritrea and Ethiopia accused each other of starting a war as regional tensions rapidly escalate.

Ethiopia and Eritrea traded mutual accusations of starting an aggressive conflict just days after severing diplomatic ties. Ethiopian authorities reported that thousands of Eritrean troops remain stationed in the northern Tigray region backing local rebels. The escalating rhetoric between the two neighbouring nations threatens to reignite open warfare in the Horn of Africa.

• The accusationsBoth governments claimed the other side initiated hostile military actions to provoke an armed conflict.
• The estimatesEthiopian officials stated that 8,000 Eritrean soldiers operate within Tigray.
• The backgroundRelations deteriorated rapidly after both countries formally cut diplomatic ties earlier in the week.