Ethiopia Tigray tensions raise fears of new war

Renewed tensions in Ethiopia's Tigray region, including reports of artillery battles and drone strikes, have raised fears of another war between federal and Tigrayan forces.

For several months, Ethiopia's federal army and Tigrayan forces have been massed on either side of Tigray's border. The buildup comes amid growing hostility between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government and the region's authorities, led by the now-outlawed Tigray People's Liberation Front.

On August 1, the TPLF accused the federal army of attacking its forces at Shererina, near the Sudanese border, using heavy artillery. Ethiopia has not publicly commented on the clashes, while conflict monitor ACLED confirmed that incidents took place.

The TPLF also reported drone strikes against Tigrayan soldiers in the region's south on Monday. A local medical official told AFP that at least four Tigrayan fighters had been wounded.

Analysts warned that troop movements and possible foreign involvement could increase the risk of a wider conflict. TPLF Vice President Amanuel Assefa told AFP the group was ready to work with anyone fighting Ethiopia's federal government. Ethiopian authorities have accused the TPLF of allying with Eritrea and the Fano militia, accusations that remain contested in the supplied information.

The African Union helped broker the Pretoria agreement that ended the 2020-2022 war, and its Horn of Africa envoy Olusegun Obasanjo visited Mekelle in June for discussions linked to that agreement.