Renewed fighting has broken out in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region between Tigrayan forces and the national army, raising fears of a return to full-scale conflict. Internet and phone services have been disrupted, impacting access to digital payments in the largely cashless society. The clashes follow months of deteriorating relations between the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and the federal government.
The renewed fighting in Tigray risks reigniting a devastating conflict that has already caused immense human suffering and economic damage. The potential spread of violence to neighboring regions and the formation of a broad anti-government alliance could destabilize Ethiopia and the wider Horn of Africa, impacting regional security and humanitarian conditions.
Fighting has erupted in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region between Tigrayan forces and the national army, raising fears of a return to full-scale conflict. Residents are reportedly engaging in panic buying, and internet and call services have been disrupted, hindering access to digital payments in a largely cashless society. This escalation follows over six months of deteriorating relations between the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which governs Tigray, and the federal government.
The African Union (AU) had previously brokered a peace deal in November 2022 to end a brutal two-year war that reportedly claimed 600,000 lives. However, unresolved issues, particularly concerning the fertile region of western Tigray and disarmament, have inflamed tensions. The TPLF claims the federal government launched an offensive, including drone strikes, while the government asserts Tigrayan forces attacked first after seizing airports.
In a significant development, the TPLF has joined forces with six other armed movements, including the Amhara's Fano militia and the Oromo Liberation Army, to form the Alliance for Survival. This alliance aims to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government, despite historical disagreements between some members, such as the TPLF and Fano over western Tigray. The government has criticized the alliance as an attempt to destabilize the country and has also accused Eritrea of supporting armed groups, an accusation Eritrea denies. Ethiopia, a landlocked nation, is also seeking access to ports in Eritrea, a point of contention between the two neighbors. Diplomatic efforts led by the AU, including engagement by its special envoy Olusegun Obasanjo, are underway to de-escalate the situation.
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