Borkena
Toronto – Sudan is reportedly deploying forces along the border with Ethiopia in the Gallabat, Basunda and Al-Fashaga areas of Gedaref as tension between the two countries rise following claims of drone attack originating from Ethiopia.
Sudanese news sources report additional troops deployment and military hardware to the region.
Sudan alleged that Khartoum airport was attacked earlier this week – allegations that Ethiopia denied. The Sudanese government on Tuesday stated that it has a right to respond to the “Ethiopian-Emirati aggression”, as it calls it, targeting Khartoum airport.
Ethiopia denied allegations from Sudan. It has been itself accusing Sudan of supporting and facilitating TPLF military activities.
This is the first time Sudan has claimed an attack from Ethiopia. In 2025, it claimed a militia attack from the border region in the North West Ethiopia.
Historical Background
Sudan has a recurring history of challenging the Ethiopian state since the time of Emperor Yohannes IV in the late 19th century. The emperor himself, who is from the Tigray region of Ethiopia, lost his life during the battle in Gallabat in the hands of the Islamist Mahdist Forces.
In recent history, Sudan has been supporting Ethiopian rebels including the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The relation between the government of Sudan and the TPLF led government, which took power in 1991, was very friendly to a point where Sudanese leaders were attending TPLF events in Tigray.
The partnership between Sudan and the TPLF persisted decades even after the TPLF lost central power. When the Ethiopian Defense Force deployed to the Sudanese border were withdrawn from the area for redeployment to the Tigray region to respond to TPLF attack on the Northern Command of the Ethiopian Defense Force, the Sudanese government deployed troops intruding into more than 30 kilometers deep inside the Ethiopian border.
There have been diplomatic efforts to entice Sudan to withdraw from the Ethiopian territories. Al-Burhan’s government had a position that Sudan is “retaking” its territory, not taking an Ethiopian one.
Current Escalating Tension between Ethiopia and Sudan
The current tension between Ethiopia and Sudan is said to be an offshoot of proxy war. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been allegedly arming and supporting the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan. Abiy Ahmed’s Administration is a close ally of UAE and has allegedly played a springboard role to facilitate the delivery of UAE military and logistical support to RSF.
There is even a claim that the Sudanese rebels – RSF – are operating from within the Ethiopian border not far from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in Benihsangul Gumuz Region.
Egypt is Supporting Al-Burhan’s government. Sudan’s claim of drone attack from Ethiopian territory is not independently verified.
However, the tension is clearly escalating.
Senior military commanders from both sides have inspected their respective troops in the border areas to assess the level of combat preparedness.
Deputy Defense Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian Defense Force, General Abebaw Tadesse, this week visited the North Western Command of the Ethiopian Defense Force. “The Western Command is ready to respond to any attack,” he remarked.
Sudanese Military Commander on their part visited their troops along the border area. Sudan tribute on Thursday reported “Major General Youssهf Mohamed Ahmed Abu Sharb, commander of the Second Infantry Division, inspected troops of the Sixth Brigade in the Basunda sector. The field visit was intended to assess readiness and boost morale at forward deployment sites.”
The tension with Sudan undoubtedly adds another layer of security issue for Ethiopia.
The country has already developed tension with Eritrea – and both sides have been preparing for military confrontations for nearly a year, if not more. The shifting alliance in the region witnessed the emergence of Eritrea as a major ally of the TPLF which declared the Pretoria Agreement null and void, and announced a de facto state in Mekelle flirting with seemingly secessionist moves. Notably, both TPLF and Eritrea are believed to have formed an alliance with Al-Burhan’s government.
Ethiopia is also facing a complex internal conflict in Amhara and Oromia regions. The situation in South East Ethiopia and Somalia appears unpredictable although there are no active conflicts at this point.
Many attribute Ethiopia’s current complex security situation to the reckless move of the Abiy Ahmed led “Prosperity Party” government. The government on its part externalizes the cause pointing to the “enemies of Ethiopia.”
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I don’t believe the regime in Addis/Finfinnee with its hands already full to the rim with domestic conflicts would try to provoke cross border war. The general in Khartoum is desperate for something to rally a dispersed public to his camp and I wouldn’t be surprised if this attack was the making of his own. He has been trying very hard to bring his sponsors in Al-Qahirah with their ground and air force into his losing war. He may also eyeing the other el-Sisi lapdogs in Piccolo Roma to bring them to his aid. This shows how mukharab(mess) that region has been puzzling even the best policy makers in the developed world. It has been ‘now you see; now don’t’ perplexing dilemma.
Peace y’all!!!
Btw, there was an earthquake today in the Awash area that measured at 4.3 on the Richter scale. Let’s hope everyone in the area was not hurt by the tremor.
Thanks to our home-grown enemies who are working day and night to make sure Ethiopia doesn’t get its peace. Otherwise, this could be a good opportunity for Ethiopia to score a blowout victory over Sudan and Egypt once and for all if we all worked together as we should. Last time i checked we have 100 plus political parties? That is attractive for our enemies, a lot to choose for destruction and that’s the only reason they even dare to fight us. Sudan has been asking to drag us to a war, but our smart leader Dr Abiy didn’t fall for the trap while fighting TPLF, but he learned so much since then and strengthen Ethiopian army in every aspect. The Sudanese General thought he will be Sudanese leader in short time, but reality showed that was impossible and he took his people and country down just to secure his power and still going. He will not be legitimate Sudanese leader…. Mengistu once said Sudan will be taken care of one day..
This just came hot off the press! Extra! Extra!! Extra!!! Read all about it!!!
The indomitable Sudanese Army just ran over the entire armed forces of Ethiopia in just less than an hour of engagement on the battlefield. GERD Dam, Gondar Bahr Daar and the entire western and northwestern part of Ethiopia is now under the Sudanese jurisdiction. I did not make this up. It is all over YouTube. This annexation is recognized now by el-Sisi and his longtime lapdogs in Piccolo Roma. Debre was seen jumping thru the sky to the tunes of ‘laloye’ in his joint city. The Lenchos and the likes are busting their best moves at the breakout of the news. Why did Ethiopia lose such a vast territory in less than an hour? That is because their IQ is at 39. They never have any history of winning battles. I hear some of you talking about Adwa this and Adwa that. Adwa was not won by Ethiopians. It was won by the Shoshone militias who were there on a hunting trip and clashed with Italians who were also there on mushroom hunting trip. I got all the record here in my folder. Get your story straight.
Boy, you should see the residents of Gondar and Bahr Daar celebrating and welcoming the Sudanese soldiers.
Ethiopia, you’re toast.