Ethiopia has told the UN Security Council that it has no choice but to defend itself against Eritrea, accusing its northern neighbor of invading its territory and deploying troops deep into the conflict-hit Tigray region.
– In a letter dated Oct. 8, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos accused Eritrea of repeated military incursions and called for the immediate withdrawal of its forces from Ethiopian territory.
– The minister alleged that Eritrea had intensified its military activities along the border, including deploying mechanized army units into Tigray, posing a direct threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
– Timothewos warned that the continued presence of Eritrean forces on Ethiopian soil had left Addis Ababa with “no option but to defend itself against Eritrea.”
– Ethiopia urged the Security Council to address the escalating confrontation, warning that Eritrea’s alleged military activities threatened regional peace and security.
– Eritrea has rejected Ethiopia’s accusations, describing them as a pretext for launching military action against its territory.
– The warning comes amid renewed fighting in Tigray, where Ethiopian federal forces have been battling armed groups linked to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
– Reports from the region also 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 alongside each other during the 2020-2022 Tigray war, but relations have since deteriorated sharply, with both governments accusing the other of threatening regional stability.
– Tensions have also intensified over Ethiopia’s pursuit of access to the Red Sea, particularly the Eritrean port of Assab, which Asmara maintains is part of its sovereign territory.