Ethiopia has warned that it may be forced to defend itself against Eritrea, accusing its northern neighbour of conducting military incursions into Ethiopian territory and deploying troops deep into the conflict-hit Tigray region.
The warning was conveyed in a letter dated October 8 to the United Nations Security Council by Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos, who called for the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean forces allegedly operating inside Ethiopia.
In the letter, Timothewos accused Eritrea of repeatedly violating Ethiopia’s territorial integrity and intensifying military activities along their shared border.
The Ethiopian foreign minister alleged that Eritrean forces had deployed mechanised military units into Tigray, describing the reported movements as a direct threat to Ethiopia’s sovereignty and national security.
Timothewos warned that the continued presence of Eritrean troops on Ethiopian soil could leave his government with no alternative but to take defensive action.
Ethiopia urged the UN Security Council to address the escalating confrontation, warning that the alleged military activities could undermine regional peace and security in the Horn of Africa.
The allegations have heightened concerns over the possibility of renewed hostilities between the two countries, whose relations have deteriorated significantly since they fought alongside each other during the 2020–2022 war in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region.
Eritrea Rejects Ethiopia’s Allegations
Eritrea has rejected Ethiopia’s accusations, describing them as an attempt to create a justification for military action against its territory.
The competing claims have further strained relations between the neighbouring countries, which have a long history of conflict, mistrust and disputes over security and territorial interests.
Although the two governments cooperated during the Tigray war, their relationship has since become increasingly hostile, with each side accusing the other of actions that threaten regional stability.
The latest diplomatic exchange raises the prospect that tensions could escalate beyond political accusations if military activities along the border intensify.
However, the claims
