Ethiopia Tigray rebels pushed back as regional tensions spike

Ethiopia's government says it has pushed Tigray rebel forces out of the Afar region after fighting erupted last week when the TPLF attacked into Afar and Amhara states, raising fears of renewed civil war. Conflict monitors ACLED and the Critical Threats Project both report pro-government forces retaking Afar towns and pushing toward the Tigrayan capital, Mekelle, though journalist access is blocked and communications are disrupted, making independent verification difficult.

The conflict has triggered a diplomatic rupture: Ethiopia accused Eritrea of backing the TPLF, expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats, and closed its Asmara embassy, prompting Eritrea to sever ties entirely. Ethiopia also expelled an Egyptian diplomat without explanation, drawing a reciprocal expulsion from Cairo, against the backdrop of an existing dispute over Ethiopia's Nile dam.

For the first time, the conflict appeared to reach Addis Ababa itself, with an explosion reported at the Defense Ministry overnight, likely from a drone strike according to a diplomatic source, though the government has declined to comment. TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael called the conflict a regional war to control the Red Sea.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.