ADDIS ABABA — In a stark warning to the Horn of Africa, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, chief of the Ethiopian National Defense Force, said on Friday that Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt are providing financial assistance to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The accusation comes as TPLF fighters seized the strategic town of Erebti in the Afar region, raising fears of a widening conflict.
Accusations and regional reactions
Jula alleged that Eritrea is mobilizing money for the TPLF and that the rebel group would need additional support from Sudan and Egypt. He offered no further details, but the claim has already drawn sharp denials from the three neighboring states.
Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Meskel responded on X, arguing that Ethiopia’s own push for sovereign access to the Eritrean port of Assab has strained relations and that Ethiopia’s alleged hosting of militia training for Sudan has put the country at odds with its neighbors.
A spokesperson for the Sudanese armed forces rejected the accusation, stating that Ethiopia is instead offering support to militias fighting the Sudanese military, a reference to the Rapid Support Forces that have been engaged in Sudan’s internal conflict since 2023.
Recent fighting and humanitarian impact
Over the weekend, TPLF fighters captured Erebti, a key town in the northern Afar region. An anonymous commander, who was not authorized to speak to the media, confirmed the takeover. An official with the Tigray Peace Force – a breakaway faction now allied with federal forces in Afar – also confirmed the town’s capture but denied that heavy fighting occurred.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported a sharp rise in wounded patients in the north. The number of patients in Korem and Alamata hospitals jumped from roughly 180 to more than 420 within 48 hours, and 300 wounded arrived at Suhul Hospital last week.
Valerie Browning, co‑founder of the Afar Pastoralist Development Association, told the Associated Press that about 150,000 people have been displaced by the renewed fighting.
Background to the conflict
The TPLF and Ethiopian federal forces fought a two‑year war from November 2020 to November 2022, ending with a peace deal signed in Pretoria, South Africa. A caretaker administration loyal to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was installed in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, but tensions have persisted as the TPLF seeks political influence in the region.
Abiy’s efforts to secure sovereign access to the Eritrean seaport of Assab have reignited friction with Eritrea, a former ally that fought alongside Ethiopian forces during the 2020‑2022 conflict. The Prime Minister’s attempts to negotiate sea access through Somaliland have also angered Somalia.
International and humanitarian concerns
Researchers at Ghent University estimate that the civilian death toll from the 2020‑2022 war reached 500,000, caused by violence, famine and the collapse of health services. The resurgence of fighting threatens to add to that tragic toll.
Regional leaders and international aid groups are urging restraint and dialogue to prevent the conflict from spilling over borders. The accusations against Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt underscore the delicate balance of power in the Horn of Africa and the need for diplomatic solutions that protect civilians and preserve stability.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
