Tensions rise as Addis Ababa demands Eritrean forces leave Tigray following reports of border crossing
By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — The Ethiopian federal government has officially accused neighboring Eritrea of sending military troops across the northern border into the Tigray Region, demanding an immediate and complete withdrawal of all foreign forces from its national territory.
Government Communication Service Minister Legesse Tulu confirmed the entry of foreign troops into the Tigray Region, asserting that all invading forces must vacate Ethiopian soil. The official statement corroborates reports from residents in Adigrat, who observed mechanized military convoys and foot patrols entering the town from the border starting October 7, 2026. The announcement follows earlier statements from Minister of Innovation and Technology Dr. Abraham Belay acknowledging foreign troop participation in renewed regional hostilities.
In response, Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel rejected the allegations, characterizing reports of military incursions across the border as unfounded claims designed to escalate tensions between the two nations.
The military movement through Adigrat—located 115 kilometers north of the regional capital, Mekelle, and 40 kilometers from the border—follows the withdrawal of opposition forces from key urban centers in Tigray. Command personnel from the federal-aligned Tigray Peace Forces confirmed that foreign troops entered the area equipped with heavy weaponry.
Field reports indicate that troop columns entered through the Zalambessa border transit point and advanced along the Adigrat-Edaga Hamus corridor, where federal drone strikes targeted convoy units in the Gwada area. Geopolitical analysts attribute the military escalation to friction surrounding the Pretoria Peace Agreement as well as strategic disagreements over Ethiopia’s Red Sea maritime policy.
The rapid escalation has culminated in a complete severing of diplomatic relations between Addis Ababa and Asmara. Regional and international bodies have issued urgent appeals urging both governments to uphold territorial integrity, exercise maximum military restraint, and resolve border disputes through formal diplomatic channels.
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