Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of an "all-out invasion" of its northern Tigray region and warned it will defend itself. This warning comes just days after residents reported to the BBC that Eritrean troops had crossed into Ethiopia.

Context

In a letter to the UN Security Council, Ethiopia's Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos described the situation as a "blatant act of aggression that engages Ethiopia's inherent right to self-defence." This follows reported strikes on Eritrean troops in Tigray.

Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel responded by stating that Eritrea is facing "an unprovoked war of aggression" from Ethiopia. The conflict began two weeks ago between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), with both sides blaming each other for violating a 2022 peace deal that ended a previous civil war.

Developments

Ethiopia claims that Eritrea is backing the TPLF, a charge Eritrea denies. During the previous two-year civil war, Eritrea was a key ally of the Ethiopian government, fighting against the TPLF. However, relations have soured, particularly due to the Ethiopian Prime Minister's ambitions regarding Eritrea's Red Sea ports, leading to the severing of diplomatic ties last week.