Ethiopia Threatens Retaliation After Eritrean Forces Cross Tigray Border

Fri Oct 09 2026 18:33:19 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of an all‑out invasion after troops advanced into Tigray, stoking a new flashpoint over the Tigray rebel struggle.

Ethiopia has formally warned that it will defend itself after Eritreans crossed into the northern Tigray region, citing an "all‑out invasion." The country’s foreign minister demanded UN Security Council support, while Eritrea’s information minister labels the action a provocative war. Tensions flank a fragile peace accord, as the Tigray People’s Liberation Front holds the area of contention. Drone strikes reportedly hit Eritrean positions in Adigrat, raising fears of a broader regional conflict that could spill beyond Ethiopia’s borders.

Ethiopia has formally warned Eritrea that it will defend itself after Eritrean troops crossed into its northern Tigray region, as stated in a letter to the UN Security Council.

The Ethiopian foreign minister called the incursion a "blatant act of aggression" and stressed the country’s inherent right to self‑defence.

Rebel forces of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which Ethiopia says is backed by Eritrea, say they are responding to violations of a 2022 cease‑fire deal that ended a two‑year civil war.

Eritrea’s information minister bristled at the accusations, describing the claim as an "unprovoked war of aggression" and accusing Ethiopia of plotting regime change in Eritrea.

High‑altitude drone strikes reportedly targeted Eritrean troops in the town of Adigrat, with local witnesses noting multiple air‑strikes and damaged lorries. No casualties have been confirmed, and the BBC is currently unable to report from the region.

The new tensions follow a broken diplomatic relationship between the two neighbours, which severed ties last week over disputes over a Red Sea port. The current escalation raises concerns that a localized skirmish could destabilise the entire Horn of Africa.

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