Ethiopian drones hit Eritrean forces accused of backing rebels in Tigray

Poinews.com – Ethiopian drones hit Eritrean forces near the northern Tigrayan city of Adigrat, according to a conflict monitor and local witnesses, raising fresh concern that fighting in Ethiopia could expand into a broader regional confrontation. The reported strikes came as a Tigray People’s Liberation Front-led coalition pressed its offensive against federal forces in northern Ethiopia.

Fighting has been reported in the neighbouring Afar and Amhara regions since the seven-group rebel alliance announced an offensive last week. Several sources said Eritrean troops had crossed the border and taken positions around Adigrat, a city in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.

Drone strikes reported around Adigrat

Conflict monitor ACLED said Eritrean troops and ammunition in the Adigrat area were struck by multiple drone attacks overnight between Wednesday and Thursday. Witness accounts indicated that military vehicles and lorries had been damaged during the operation.

“There were many, many drone strikes yesterday. Some Eritrean lorries have been destroyed. They are no longer in the streets,” one witness said, speaking anonymously.

Another resident said they heard a massive explosion during the night and later saw Eritrean military vehicles that appeared to have been hit by a drone. A third witness said Eritrean troops seemed to be moving north, suggesting a possible retreat from the city.

Neither Ethiopia nor Eritrea responded to questions about the reported attacks. The claims have emerged during a sharp deterioration in relations between the two neighbours, whose political and military ties have repeatedly shifted over recent decades.

Why Ethiopia and Eritrea are again at odds

Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of supporting rebels in Tigray, while Eritrea says Ethiopia is backing its opponents and seeking a pretext to invade Eritrean territory. Asmara has also accused Addis Ababa of pursuing direct access to the Red Sea, an issue that has added to tensions between the two countries.

Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Meskel said on X that Ethiopia was openly seeking regime change in Eritrea by offering shelter and support to people claiming to be members of the opposition. Ethiopian officials have also accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting the TPLF-led alliance amid the latest escalation.

The dispute carries deep historical weight. Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993, leaving Ethiopia without direct access to the Red Sea. The countries later fought a devastating border war from 1998 to 2000. Relations improved significantly after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018, an achievement linked to the Nobel Peace Prize he received for his peace efforts.

That thaw did not last. Eritrean forces fought alongside Ethiopian troops during the 2020-2022 civil war against the TPLF, but relations worsened after the peace agreement that ended the conflict. Eritrea expressed anger over the deal, while Ethiopia accused Eritrean troops of crimes against civilians during the Tigray war.

Diplomatic ties severed amid renewed tensions

The latest confrontation intensified in February, when Addis Ababa accused Eritrea of sending troops across the border. Eritrea rejected the allegation as false. Last Thursday, Ethiopia expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats and closed its embassy in Asmara. Eritrea responded by saying it would sever all diplomatic ties.

The reports that Ethiopian drones hit Eritrean forces therefore come at a particularly sensitive moment. Any confirmed expansion of cross-border military operations could deepen instability in northern Ethiopia and further strain relations across the Horn of Africa.

FAQ: What do the reported strikes mean?

Where did the reported drone strikes take place?

The reported strikes occurred around Adigrat, a northern city in Ethiopia’s Tigray region near the Eritrean border. ACLED and witnesses said Eritrean troops, ammunition and military vehicles were targeted in the area.

Who says Ethiopian drones hit Eritrean forces?

The claims were reported by conflict monitor ACLED and by witnesses in Adigrat. Ethiopian and Eritrean authorities had not responded to questions about the fighting.

Why is Adigrat important?

Adigrat lies in northern Tigray, close to the border with Eritrea. Its location makes it significant during periods of tension involving Ethiopian federal forces, Tigrayan armed groups and Eritrean troops.

Could the fighting spread beyond Tigray?

Fighting has already been reported in Afar and Amhara regions. The renewed hostilities and diplomatic rupture have prompted concern that the conflict could become a wider regional crisis.