Horn of Africa

Ethiopian government troops have advanced into Zalambessa, a town near the country’s northern border with Eritrea, raising fears that renewed fighting in the Horn of Africa could escalate into a wider conflict between the neighbouring countries.

According to Reuters, six sources said Ethiopian forces had reached the town by Tuesday, October 13. Zalambessa had previously been held by Tigrayan rebels, and the government’s latest advance comes amid an expanding military campaign against an opposition alliance led by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

The development follows reports that Eritrean troops crossed into northern Ethiopia last week. However, their current presence in Zalambessa remains unclear, and Eritrea has denied carrying out an incursion.

The situation has heightened diplomatic tensions as both governments accuse each other of threatening regional stability

What Is Happening Near the Eritrean Border?

Fighting resumed in northern Ethiopia in September after a rebel alliance led by the TPLF launched an offensive against federal government forces.

Ethiopian troops and allied forces have since pushed the rebels out of several towns, according to Reuters. The advance towards Zalambessa represents another development in the campaign, although a spokesperson for a pro-government militia did not confirm that the military had fully taken control of the town.

Earlier reports from witnesses and conflict monitors described Eritrean troops entering towns in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, including Adigrat and Idaga Hamus. The Associated Press reported that it could not independently verify those accounts.

The reports have fuelled concerns that the renewed internal conflict could draw Ethiopia and Eritrea into direct confrontation.

Ethiopia and Eritrea Exchange Accusations

Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of sending troops across the border and supporting armed opposition groups operating in its northern regions. Addis Ababa has said Eritrean forces advanced as far as 60 kilometres inside Ethiopian territory.

Eritrea has rejected the accusations. Its government has argued that Ethiopia is using the allegations to justify possible military action and has appealed to the United Nations Security Council for intervention.

The competing claims have made it difficult to establish the full extent of the reported cross-border movements. Independent confirmation of the alleged incursion remains limited.

The Security Council has been drawn into the dispute, with both countries submitting letters setting out their positions. Diplomats are concerned that further military escalation could undermine regional security.

Why Access to the Red Sea Is Part of the Dispute

Ethiopia has been landlocked since Eritrea became independent in 1993. Access to the Red Sea has become an increasingly important strategic and economic issue for Addis Ababa.

Ethiopian officials have described access to the sea as a major national priority, while Eritrea views some Ethiopian statements on the issue as a potential threat to its sovereignty.

Ethiopia has said it wants to secure access through peaceful means and dialogue. Nevertheless, the maritime issue has added another source of tension to already deteriorating relations between the neighbours.

The countries severed diplomatic ties in October 2026, according to Reuters, following accusations surrounding the conflict in northern Ethiopia.

A Fragile Peace After the Tigray War

The latest escalation has revived memories of the devastating 2020–2022 Tigray war, which caused enormous civilian suffering and widespread displacement.

Ethiopia and Eritrea restored diplomatic relations in 2018, but their relationship deteriorated during and after the previous war. Eritrean forces fought alongside Ethiopia’s federal government during that conflict, yet tensions later returned over security and political issues.

A renewed interstate war could worsen humanitarian conditions in northern Ethiopia and create additional instability across the Horn of Africa, a region already affected by armed conflicts and competing regional interests.

What Happens Next?

The immediate questions are whether Ethiopian forces can secure Zalambessa, whether Eritrean troops remain inside Ethiopia and whether diplomatic efforts can prevent further clashes.

The United Nations Security Council and regional diplomats face pressure to encourage restraint and prevent the dispute from escalating.

For now, Ethiopian forces have reportedly reached the border town, but the situation on the ground remains fluid. The reported Eritrean incursion is disputed, and the available evidence does not establish that a full-scale war between the two countries has begun.