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Ethiopian Forces Advance Toward Eritrean Border Town
Ethiopian federal troops and allies are advancing toward Zalambeisa, an Eritrean border town, intensifying fears of regional conflict as the US calls for de-escalation.
Federal Ethiopian forces and their allied groups are moving toward a town situated near the border with Eritrea, according to statements made on Wednesday by a pro-government leader and a local resident. This military progression has heightened concerns regarding the potential outbreak of a wider regional war.
US Calls for De-escalation
The United States urged both Ethiopia and Eritrea to reduce tensions on Wednesday, citing fears that hostilities could escalate between the neighboring nations in the Horn of Africa. During a telephone conversation with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that every country in the region must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbors while avoiding cross-border incursions.
A statement released by the U.S. Department of State noted Rubio’s assertion that the area cannot sustain further conflicts. He stressed that the only sustainable resolution to internal and external tensions is achieved through dialogue and communication, consistent with the framework agreed upon in the 2018 peace accord between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Military Movements Near Zalambeisa
An unnamed member of the pro-government coalition told AFP that Eritrean soldiers stationed in Zalambeisa—a town close to the border that served as a major battlefield during the previous war between the two countries from 1998 to 2000—have withdrawn. The source confirmed that defense forces currently control villages near the town but added that no Ethiopian troops have crossed into Eritrea.
A resident of Zalambeisa, who requested anonymity, reported to AFP that the Ethiopian army had reached a point approximately five kilometers south of the town, while the Eritrean military was positioned at its northern outskirts. The resident described the situation as causing deep anxiety among locals, who fear the town may become a combat zone.
Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Ghebre Meskel dismissed reports of Ethiopian forces crossing the border as unreliable when speaking to AFP. Meanwhile, Addis Ababa accuses Asmara of supporting rebels from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which launched a large-scale offensive against government forces on September 23 before being forced to retreat.
Strategic Advances and Humanitarian Concerns
Government forces captured Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region, earlier this month following the withdrawal of TPLF troops. Eritrean forces had deployed in several locations across northern Tigray but were compelled to pull back due to drone strikes. In recent days, pro-government units advanced toward key towns such as Shire and Aksum, both located near the Eritrean border.
A foreign security source estimated that between 5,000 and 8,000 Eritrean soldiers had entered Ethiopian territory to support the rebels but appeared to have been forced to withdraw. Amidst these developments, allegations have surfaced regarding the forced recruitment of children and a severe humanitarian crisis attributed to the TPLF.
Regional Stability Risks
Amanuel Assefa, deputy head of the TPLF, told AFP that a military alliance comprising opposition groups against the federal government would succeed in its objectives. He warned that the fighting could evolve into a broader regional dispute. The London-based Chatham House research center indicated that continued combat without international intervention risks leading to dangerous regional escalation.
Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993, and the two nations fought a border war between 1998 and 2000. Relations briefly improved after Abiy Ahmed came to power but deteriorated again, culminating in a complete severance of ties this month due to the conflict in Tigray.
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