OMM Redaksiyası
Ethiopia has told the UN Security Council that it may have to defend itself against Eritrea, accusing its northern neighbour of sending troops into Ethiopian territory and deep into the conflict-hit Tigray region.
In a letter dated Oct. 8, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos alleged that Eritrean forces had repeatedly crossed the border and called for their immediate withdrawal from Ethiopian territory.
Timothewos said Eritrea had stepped up military activity along the border, including the deployment of mechanised army units in Tigray. He described the alleged presence as a direct threat to Ethiopia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The minister warned that Ethiopia had “no option but to defend itself against Eritrea” if Eritrean forces remained on its soil. Addis Ababa urged the Security Council to address the escalating confrontation, saying the alleged activity threatened regional peace and security.
Eritrea has rejected Ethiopia’s accusations, calling them a pretext for military action against its territory.
The warning comes amid renewed fighting in Tigray, where Ethiopian federal forces are battling armed groups linked to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Reports from the region indicate that Ethiopian military drones struck vehicles allegedly carrying Eritrean soldiers near Adigrat on Thursday. The reported attacks and claims of casualties have not been independently verified.
Ethiopia and Eritrea fought on the same side during the 2020-2022 Tigray war, but their relations have since deteriorated sharply. Both governments accuse the other of threatening regional stability.
Tensions have also grown over Ethiopia’s pursuit of access to the Red Sea, particularly the Eritrean port of Assab, which Asmara says is part of its sovereign territory.
